Huge interest in Standard Chartered Marathon

By Erick Ochieng’

This year’s Standard Chartered Marathon has attracted 6,000 athletes from 50 countries.

The head of corporate affairs, Ann Kinuthia, said Standard Chartered has extended registration to a fortnight and will now close on October 24, two days to the event.

"We are extending registration to allow participants take part in the event. We are therefore urging interested participants to register in time to avoid a last minute rush," she said yesterday at a press conference at the Nairobi Mayor’s office, Nairobi.

Present at the function were the Mayor of Nairobi Geoffrey Majiwa, Athletic Kenya chairman Isaiah Kiplagat, Standard Chartered Marathon Race Director John Velzian, among others.

Majiwa assured of city councils’ cooperation to make the event a success.

"Many Kenyans have benefited from the event and regained their eyesight, thanks to the resources mobilised by the event."

"This intervention compliments what we as a Council do in our welfare initiatives to the residents of the city. It is therefore, only fair that the Council supports this cause to realize our mutual objective," said Majiwa.

Kiplagat thanked the mayor for accepting to own the marathon, saying that it is a way of cultivating harmony and raising the city’s economic status.

"Apart from the prize money given (Sh1.5m) to the various winners, this will be a period of economic boom in Nairobi. The sport will also promote unity and peace within the city after the post-election crisis," said Isaiah.

The marathon involves a 10km road race, half and full marathon, men and women full wheelchair marathon, family fun run and the greatest race on earth.

Runners register at a fee of Sh1,000 for the Individual Challenge, Sh50, 000 for the Corporate Challenge and Sh500 for the Family Fun Run.