By Erick Ochieng’
Companies have lined up to sponsor the eighth edition of the Nairobi Standard Chartered Marathon scheduled for October 31.
Platinum sponsors Capital FM and Kenya Data Networks have contributed Sh9.9m and Sh7.5m towards the race.
Majestic Printing yesterday contributed Sh5.5m, Hilton Hotel Sh5m, Alpine Coolers Sh4.6m, Jubilee Insurance Sh2m and Multichoice Kenya Sh2.5m.
Other companies which presented their donations during a breakfast meeting held by the race committee at a Nairobi hotel yesterday include the AAR (Sh1m), Subaru Kenya (Sh500,000), Sentrim Contract (Sh600,000), Bio Food (Sh400,000). East Africa Breweries Limited, through its Alvaro brand, gave out Sh250,000.
More sponsors are expected before the kick off at the end of this month.
OBJECTIVES
"We are going to ensure the forthcoming event achieves its objectives," said Marathion Chairman Geoffrey Githinji.
This year’s theme for the marathon is "Run for Sight". Regina Mukiri, the marathon project manager, said last year’s edition saw participation increase by 70 per cent as compared to the previous year.
Last year also saw the entry of wheelchair competition, where 103 participants were registered. The number is expected to go up this year.
Organisers are targeting 770 eye operations this year.
"From the 4,000 operations done so far since the marathon begun in 2003, 160 were conducted last year," said Mukiri.
Mukiri said participants can download their certificates of participation through the Internet. Apart from the wheelchair race, the event will showcase full and a half-marathon, 10km race and family fun run.
Three medical stations will be set at the venue, Nyayo National Stadium, and an equal number along the route, apart from hospitals contracted to manage emergencies. There is no change in the route and registration closes on October 21.
