Hunt for Nairobi: Over 25,000 to compete in the Standard Chartered Nairobi International Marathon as sponsors boost race with Sh170m

The leading pack in a previous Standard Chartered Nairobi Marathon. The 2014 event is scheduled for 26th this month.PHOTO/DENNIS OKEYO

Organisers of the Standard Chartered Nairobi International Marathon are confident this year’s event will hit the 25,000 mark despite having received only 1,800 entries by now.

Peter Gitau, the Chairman of the Local Organising Committee, said they have made all arrangements for the bid entry for the race, which will be held on Sunday, October 26.

Defending champions Kenneth Mungara and Winfred Kwamboka are expect to line up for another shot at their titles. Kwamboka, a soldier with the Kenya Defence Forces, said she is preparing well for the big showdown.

“I have done the long runs and I think I have the required endurance.

“I will begin speed work next week and see how the body will respond,” said Kwamboka.

Last year, Mungara and Kwamboka returned to the annual competition – held on a newly-designed course – and improved on their score card at the StanChart race.

Mathew Kisorio, the former World Junior 5,000m silver medalist, is expected to stretch his dominance in local road races, having won a number of them since his return from a two year dope ban in July.

Registration starts on Monday at all Standard Chartered Bank branches countrywide, selected supermarkets and health clubs at a fee of Sh2,000.

Runners can also register online through the marathon’s website www.nairobimarathon.com for Sh1,500 and Family Fun race while Sh150,000 will be paid for the corporates.

Irene Jerotich, who delivered Kenya’s women’s maiden Commonwealth marathon title in New Delhi in 2010, is the only athlete basking in exceptional glory having won the 42km road race twice.

She won in 2006 edition and runner-up finish twice in 2005 and 2008 editions before winning it again in 2010.

Michael Hughes, the race organiser, said they have received 800 physical and 1,000 online registrations and expect interested runners and participants to register soon. But the entries so far appeared still low, with two weeks to the event.

Hughes was speaking during a function to receive support sponsorship for the race. The organisers of the Standard Chartered marathon received Sh170 million from a number of sponsors.

Yesterday, the title sponsors Standard Chartered Bank offered Sh91m while Majestic Works forked out Sh25m. Security service provider, G4S, contributed Sh21m.

Others were Jubilee Insurance (Sh7.5m), Alpine Coolers (Sh6m), PesaPal (Sh6m), Access Kenya (Sh6m), Nakumatt Holdings (Sh6m), County Government of Nairobi (Sh5m), AAR (Sh1m), Parapet (Sh1.2m), Subaru Kenya (Sh500,000) and Greenloop International (Sh350,000).

The showpiece event, which enters its 12th edition this year, will start and end at the Nyayo National Stadium.