BUNGEI FOR KARURA: 19-year-old Mwangangi wins inaugural EABL Karura Run

Karura Forest Run Runners at the inaugural Karura Forest race

Environmentalists have been urged to help save Karura Forest, which is ideal for athletics training.

Wilfred Bungei, who won 800m gold medal at the 2008 Beijing Olympics, and who participated in the EABL Karura 10km Run last weekend, said Karura is one of the places that Athletics Kenya can turn into a training camp for global competition.

"Karura conservancy is an ideal training ground for health-seeking individuals," he said. He called upon the public to join them in supporting the conservation of the forest.

"Kenya churns out the best athletes globally, which is greatly attributed to high altitude and quality forest cover. Karura Forest replicates the training grounds for the general public interested in having a healthy jog in fresh air, and this is why we are more than happy to participate in the Karura Run," he said.

Elijah Mwangangi won the inaugural 10km race at Karura Forest on Saturday.

Mwangangi, 19, who just completed his Form Four a month ago, crossed the line in 29:00 taking home the EABL Karura Run title.

Zebedee Kiprono came second, clocking 29:04, while Peter Ndungu came a distant third in 29:06 minutes.

Mwangangi, who trains at Ngoleni Secondary, said he participated in the race to work on his time.

Stephen Kamande, 65, finished first in the elderly people category after clocking 40:00 followed by Nahason Njeru, 75, who crossed the line at 46:00.

The 10km EABL Karura Run was aimed at raising money for environmental conservation.

The run was part of EABL's 10-year anniversary commemoration, which aims to raise Sh5 million this year for the care and management of the Karura conservancy.

Commenting on this announcement, EABL Acting Corporate Relations Director, Paul Kasimu, acknowledged all the participants, including the elite runners.

"Granted that Kenya is the 'hot bed of champions' inviting elite athletes encourages us as an organisation to ably raise the profile of the competition while we conserve the environment that we greatly rely on for the success of our business," said Kasimu.

"We are greatly touched by the overwhelming support towards making this event a success," said Kasimu.