Athletics: Los Angeles Marathon champion Kirui to contest Stanchart Nairobi International Marathon as race nets Sh150million sponsorship

Standard Chartered Bank CEO Lamin Manjang (left)

Los Angeles marathon champion Weldon Kirui is among the elite athletes who have registered for the 14th edition of Standard Chartered Nairobi International Marathon slated for October 30 at Nyayo National Stadium in Nairobi.

 In form Kirui will strive to give defending champion Patrick Kipng’eno a run for his money in the 21km category that has attracted other well-oiled machines including last year’s runners up Nicholas Korir and Geoffrey Kipyego who bagged third place position.

“Winning in Los Angeles early this year boosted my confidence, I feel my body is in great shape so I have decided to try my luck at the Standard Chartered Nairobi International Marathon to see if I can bag another victory before I close the year,”Kirui noted.

Other notable athletes who are expected to defend their titles in this year’s race includes Wilfred Kimetei (10km men), Sheila Chepkirui   (10km women), Purity Jebichi (21km women) and 42km winners Joshua Kipkorir and Elizabeth Rumokoi.

The marathon received a massive boost yesterday when 14 corporate injected Sh60million sponsorship  to support the 14th edition which aims at raising  Sh75million, from the Sh40million realised last year,  to be used for the Seeing is Believing  charity initiative across Kenya.

In addition, title sponsors Standard Chartered Bank  also pumped in an additional Sh90 million to support the race as well as the charity missions.

Speaking while receiving the sponsorship cheques, bank’s CEO Lamin Manjang said he was glad with the development of the race since its inception in 2003.

 “This race is now recognized as one the largest sporting event in the international athletics calendar and has provided a platform for aspiring athletes to launch their professional careers,” said Manjang.

He disclosed that in line with the IAAF standards, all participants will be subjected to very strict scrutiny this year to avert cheaters in the race.

“We would like to assure participants that we have put in place several mechanisms to guarantee integrity of the race.  Like in the previous editions, we shall continue to employ the Chip Technology in all races and aerial surveillance cameras from our broadcast partner. This will complement the services of the Technical Director, Route Marshals and CCTV cameras along the course,” said Manjang.

 

 

 

 

 

While thanking the sponsors for partnering with the bank to restore sight for children below 15 years, Manjang said: “Your contributions have gone a long way in helping achieve our commitment to tackling avoidable blindness among children.”

“I am also happy to welcome on board our new sponsors and extend an invitation to other corporate to join us next year.”

More than Sh8 million prize money will be up for grabs in the marathon which is the only IAAF-sanctioned race in the region.

In a departure from past practice, online registration for the marathon was launched four months before the event date in a move aimed at complying with international standards and giving the participants a better experience.

 All registered participants who opened and funded a Marathon Savers Account will be entered into a final draw to select eight lucky winners who will proceed on a fully paid trip to Singapore in December this year to attend the Singapore Marathon.

So far about 20,000 participants have registered. The deadline for registration for this year’s edition that targets 30,000 participants closes on Sunday.

The route for all the six race categories; 42km male and female, 21km male and female, 10km male and female, 21km wheelchair male and female, 5km Family Fun Run race and the CEO Fun Run remains unchanged.