Kenyans join Mrs Kenyatta at the launch of First Lady Half Marathon

First Lady Margaret Kenyatta, front sixth left, is joined by the Miss World Kenya 2014 Finalists after covering 3KM Run during the launch of the 2nd Edition 2015 First Lady Half Marathon to support the 'Beyond Zero' Campaign at Karura Forest Nairobi on Sunday, October 19th. 2014. NSSF Photo/Jonah Onyango.

Hundreds of Kenyans joined the First Lady Margaret Kenyatta as she launched the second edition of the 2015 First Lady Half Marathon at Karura Forest, Nairobi, yesterday.

While leading Kenyans in the 3km run, Mrs Kenyatta urged them to adopt healthy lifestyles by exercising and eating healthy foods.

“Fellow Kenyans, it is prudent we adopt healthy lifestyles, such as exercising and eating healthy foods just like our world famous athletes who continue to fly the country’s flag very high every other week,” she said during the launch of the race which will take place in Nairobi on March 8, 2015.

The First Lady also congratulated Dennis Kimetto for breaking the World Marathon record in Berlin last month. In addition, she paid tribute to Rita Jeptoo and Eliud Kipchoge for making a clean Kenyan sweep at the Chicago Marathon last weekend.”

“I would also like to wish the strong Kenyan team led by Wilson Kipsang, Geoffrey Mutai and Edna Kiplagat all the best as they compete in the final major global marathon of the year, the New York Marathon, in two weeks’ time,” she said.

The First Lady is running to raise funds for the ‘Beyond Zero Campaign’ which seeks to increase access to better healthcare through provision of mobile clinics to less fortunate Kenyans. The funds raised have been used to purchase equipment for 20 mobile clinics, seven of which have been donated to counties with some of the highest maternal and child mortality rates in Kenya like Taita Taveta, Narok, Samburu, Homa Bay, Baringo, Isiolo and Wajir. More funds are needed to purchase 27 mobile clinics.

“Early this year, we began a journey of hope. A journey that would ensure the lives of our mothers and children are saved. That journey was not easy. It demanded our effort, discipline and will. And thanks to your support, we made it!” the First Lady said.

She called on the county governments to supplement what the ‘Beyond Zero Campaign’ has achieved so far to ensure more people benefit from the initiative.

The inaugural Marathon, held on March 9 this year, attracted 30,000 runners.