Kass International Marathon: Over 3,500 turn up for annual contest

Residents of Eldoret and Kapsabet town in Uasin Gishu and Nandi Counties didn't disappoint as they turned up to participate in the 10th edition of Kass Marathon. Both the elderly and the young ones turned up in large number to take part in the race. 20-11-2016. PHOTOS BY: KEVIN TUNOI

Thousands of athletics fans from North Rift turned up to cheer participants during this year’s Kass International Marathon staged along the Kapsabet –Eldoret road yesterday.

The annual event attracted more than 3,500 athletes and with each pushing forward, cheers rang from fans who had lined up along the 42km road.

Athletes from Nandi, Elgeyo Marakwet and Uasin Gishu battled for supremacy, confirming tags their counties brag of. Nandi is known as the source of champions, Elgeyo Marakwet as home of champions and Uasin Gishu as city of champions. Battle was real. It was bruising and rewarding.

Security was tight as traffic on some routes was temporarily diverted. Choppers were also in constant surveillance from high above in the race, which was televised live by KTN Home.

Standard Group CEO Sam Shollei, who graced the event, hailed the race, saying it has helped tap and nurture talent in the country.

“Standard Group will continue to sponsor the event because it has changed the society.

“Many upcoming athletes have improved their running prowess,” said Shollei.

Shollei added the media group’s platforms will continue to update Kenyans on all events including sports, entertainment, current affairs and politics.

Governors Jackson Mandago (Uasin Gishu), Alex Tolgos (Elgeyo Marakwet), Cleophas Lagat (Nandi) and Chesumei MP Elijah Lagat attended the event.

While commending the athletes, Tolgos said: “Congratulations to our athletes who made us proud in the Kass Marathon. They have demonstrated we are indeed the County of Champions.”

Mandago urged athletes to invest their hard-earned cash wisely and seek sound financial management.

Kass Media Chairman Joshua Chepkwony said the race will continue to nurture talent, as it has always done in the past nine years.

“Kass marathon has proved to be a unique event in the country. Thousands of fans line up along the route to cheer our runners, thus making it a great event,” said Chepkwony.