Lukenya Marathon: Victor Kimutai upbeat ahead of the Sunday showpiece

Victor Kimutai stepping up training in Lukenya ahead of the marathon. [Joshua Kitili]

Victor Kimutai from Narok will be among the many athletes who will line up to look for glory in the men's 10km category at the inaugural Lukenya University One Million Trees Marathon this weekend.

The epic race that also has the 5km, 21km and 42km categories will be held in Mtito Andei, Makueni County this Sunday.

Kimutai is targeting sub 35 minute in the contest saying that will be enough proof on how well he has grown and developed in athletics.

"I started training for this marathon three months ago. I have effectively done my long and short runs. I combined these with gym work to get the desired results," he told Standard Sports.

"The gym has supported my journey towards having a very fit body, I have built on muscles and have also improved on my speed," he stated.

"This week, I'm working on my finishing kick, I believe by Sunday I will be flawless in executing it in the race," he said.

Kimutai has taken part in many races, both at home in Narok and in areas around Lukenya University where he is currently a second year student undertaking a degree in Education, but he is yet to win any meaningful trophy.

He believes this Sunday he might be among those who will head to the podium smiling owing to how he has prepared for the race.

"I have been balancing my studies with this God given talent. I wake up very early in the mornings to do long runs, then I head for the classes. In the evenings, I do jogging which I combine with gym before I retire to bed," he says.

Kimutai embraced athletics way back in high school and since then has reaped several benefits from the discipline including landing on several education scholarships, meeting new friends and expanding on his social network.

"In the future, I will be happy to win any leg in the Diamond League, I'm also very hopeful that I will represent Kenya internationally one day, especially in the prestigious world championships and the Olympics," he says.

And what does he think of the Lukenya University One Million Trees Marathon?

"This event is very important to this region of Makueni County, because it's a semi-arid zone. There is need to plant more trees to attract more rainfall, this will eventually change the whole ecosystem around here," he stated.

Athletes are expected to arrive for the marathon by train at the historic Mtito Andei station on Friday.

There will be buses awaiting them at the train station which will ferry them to the Lukenya University main campus where they will be accommodated.

How to watch the race action and build -ups

1. Zilizala- Sports Show on KTN News on Friday March 24
2. Scoreline- Sports Show on KTN News on Saturday March 25
3. Prime News from Lukenya University on Saturday March 25- both 7pm and 9pm (KTNNews and KTN Home).
4. Live Transmission of the Marathon on KTN News on Sunday March 26 from 6am.