Ongori eyes Imenti: Mwangangi and Kiogora lead galaxy of stars to Sunday race

Safaricom Sponsorship Manager Angeline Sonje presents the dummy cheque of Ksh.750,000 to AK President Isaiah Kiplagat, AK Eastern Branch Chairman Joseph Kinyua and Imenti South Road race chairman Kimathii mutuerandu during the launch of Imenti South Road Race on 01-12-2014 in Nairobi.PHOTO/DENNIS OKEYO.

Former World Half Marathon silver medallist Philes Ongori will lead a galaxy of elite stars during the tenth Safaricom Imenti South road race on Sunday.

Ongori, who won the race last year, will put her title on the line as she faces stiff challenge from Warsaw Half Marathon champion Pauline Njeru.

In the men’s race, former African Cross Country Champion John Mwangangi will return to the hilly course as he seeks to gauge his preparedness ahead of the new season.

Mwangangi will, however, have to battle it out with Mwea Half Marathon champion Maurice Munene and Cyprian Kiogora and the 2011 Hong Kong Marathon champion for the top prize. Winners in both men and women’s races will take home Sh80,000. Runners-up will get Sh40,000 while the third-placed will take home Sh25,000.

The event yesterday received Sh750,000 from title sponsors Safaricom and Sh100,000 from Athletics Kenya towards the prize.

Local organising committee (LOC) chairman Kimathi Mutuerandu said they have scrapped off the schools category due to lack of competition.

schools category

Mutuerandu said:”It has been difficult to assemble school teams since the event is held during the holidays.”

With increased sponsorship, the cash prize has been enhanced from Sh75,000 to Sh80,000, which will go downwards to position 10.

The other sponsors include Meru County Senator Kiraitu Murungi Sh100,000, Meru Government (Sh100,000), area Member of Parliament Kathungi Murungi (Sh100,000), Athletics Kenya Eastern Branch chairman Joseph Kinyua Sh50,000 and Waithaka Kioni Sh20,000.

Registration is going on at Kanyakine, Igoji and AK Riadha House offices in Nairobi and will cost Sh100. The race will start at Igoji and end at Nkubu stadium. Last year, more than 700 athletes took part.

Kinyua said the race has grown in leaps and bound since its launch in 2004.

“I must thank Safaricom and other sponsors who have walked with us through this period. Meru is an area with a lot of talent and with more races, we will be able to tap these athletes and showcase them to the global circuit,” said Kinyua.

Athletics Kenya President Isaiah Kiplagat challenged the county government to support races in their region now that they have budget for sport. He also asked the counties to put in place infrastructure to support sports.

David Okeyo, the AK Vice President in charge of competition, said they have come up with new regulations to be in use from January, 2015. He said all road races must carry out random anti-doping campaigns.

“We will not allow any race organisers to have the events without complying with the new rules. These rules will be available here at AK offices and anyone can pick them. But all races must also have anti-doping campaigns and samples taken to check the same,” said Okeyo.