ALL SET FOR NAIROBI RACE: 20,000 to compete in Stanchart Marathon on Sunday

42KM men winner Joshua Kipkorir(L) and second place winner Shadrack Kimaiyo(R) lead the pack during the Standard Chartered Nairobi Marathon 2015.PHOTO:BONIFACE OKENDO

The 14th edition of Standard Chartered Bank Nairobi International Marathon slated for Sunday at Nyayo Stadium has attracted 20,000 local and international athletes.

The organisers announced the figure yesterday after the closure of the physical and online registration process that ran for several months.

The 10km category has attracted the highest number of participants this year including defending champions Wilfred Kimetei and Sheila Kipkurui.

The half marathon that has attracted Los Angeles Marathon champion Weldon Kirui has a total of 7000 participants.

In form Kirui will strive to give defending champion Patrick Kipng’eno a run for his money in the 21km category that has attracted last year’s runners up Nicholas Korir and third finisher Geoffrey Kipyego.

The 42km category, which was won by Joshua Kipkorir and Elizabeth Rumokoi has also attracted 700 participants who will be seeking to dethrone the duo.

There is also an increase in the number of participants in the 21km wheelchair male and female, 5km Family Fun Run race and the CEO 3km Fun Run.

Nairobi Traffic Commandant Leonard Katana while revealing some of the routes to be closed on Sunday said total security will be provided during the marathon.

“The affected roads include sections of Mombasa Road, Uhuru Highway, Upper Hill and Forest Road.

“Within the CBD, Kenyatta Avenue and sections of Haile Selassie and the University Way will remain closed until 11.30am,” Katana said.

The marathon recently received a massive boost when 14 corporates injected Sh60million sponsorship to support the 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.

The bank’s CEO Lamin Manjang said that in line with the IAAF standards, all participants will be subjected to very strict scrutiny this year to avert cheating.

“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,” Manjang said.

More than Sh8 million prize money will be up for grabs in the marathon.

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.