Baringo Half marathon postponed

From left: Foundation Chairman Brian Waluchio, Baringo Governor Stanley Kiptis and AK President Jackson Tuwei with Ksh. 5million dummy cheque during Baraingo Half Ma rathon launch in Nairobi on Oct. 13, 2017. [Dennis Okeyo, Standard]

The Lotto Foundation Baringo Half Marathon has been postponed by two weeks.

It will now be held on November 18. The event’s coordinator Simon Chebon said they have embarked on a number of changes in this year’s race, including the route, hence the rescheduling.

“We consulted our sponsors and saw the need to delay it for two weeks. We need to get everything in place ahead of the race,” he added.

He said the change of date was necessary to allow temperatures cool down, given the current political situation, which was occasioned by the repeat presidential elections.

He said apart from the change of date, the rest of the programme remains the same.

“The athletes have more time to train and deliver even better results on the day,” he said. Chebon confirmed that two Ethiopian athletes have been invited for this year’s edition as part of their partnership with the Great Ethiopian Run.

He said preparations are at an advanced stage and they expect to register more athletes.

Fukuoka Half Marathon runner-up Edith Chelimo (women) and Kericho’s Isaac Kipkoech (men) are among the athletes that have confirmed participation.

The two won the men and women’s titles during last year’s edition.

Chelimo will face challenge from last year’s athletes Lucy Cheruiyot and Paskalia Chepkorir, who finished third.

In the men’s category, Kurui Chesang, who finished second, and Sammy Kurui (third) in last year’s event, will no doubt be out to challenge Kipkoech. The organisers recently received a shot in the arm after gaming company Lotto upped their sponsorship to Sh5m from Sh4m last season.

“We are pleased to partner with such noble events because as a company, our ambition is to help the sport grow. Besides Baringo Half Marathon, we are also looking to venture into new ways of ensuring a better life in athletics.”

“Among the items we are deliberating on is rehabilitating infrastructure because we have noticed this is an area of concern,” Lotto Foundation chairman Brian Walucho said.

The launch was also graced by Baringo Governor Stanley Kiptis, who promised more support for the event and sports in the county.

“We have four training camps around our county and we want to see whether we can equip them with modern training facilities,” the Governor said.

November 18

New date for annual Baringo Half Marathon

“We want to have a successful event. We will do all we can’t to achieve that plan.”

Lotto Foundation chairman, Brian Walucho