Mwangangi to defend 11th edition of Madoka Half Marathon
Athletics
By
ERICK OCHIENG
| Sep 30, 2016
The 2012 World Half Marathon bronze medalist John Mwangangi will be out to defend his win at the 11th edition of Masden Madoka Half Marathon slated for October 22, 2016 in Ngereni, Taita Taveta County.
Mwangangi who also bagged team gold at the world half marathon event held in Karvana, Bulgaria, will face stiff opposition from Nicholas Kipkemoi and Hosea Amok who ended the Madoka Half Marathon contest in second and third place respectively last year.
The women’s contest will see last year’s champion Winfridah Moseti try to defend her title against Lucy Cheruiyot and Eunice Kioko who believe they have come of age to be champions.
In order to make the race more competitive, the organisers have made the prize money more lucrative as compared to the other editions.
“Winners for women and men’s categories will each get Sh500,000.Runners up Sh250, 000 while third place finishers will each go home Sh100,000 richer,” said Masden Madoka, the brain behind the race.
Madoka explained they have come up with an elaborate plan to build a High Altitude Training Centre in Ngereni to help nurture and support emerging talents from the region.
“I am glad Mwangangi is a product of this race and his hard work and resilience has propelled him to win medals at international event. I believe this High Altitude Training Centre will help us discover more athletes who would go past what Mwangangi has so far achieved on track and the road,” Madoka said.
Madoka noted is he grateful to Athletics Kenya (AK) and various sponsors who have given the event support in their long journey to realise their aim.
Mobile phone services providers Safaricom and Huawei Technologies revived their support for the charity race. Safaricom gave out Sh2million while Huawei injected Sh1million into the annual race yesterday.
“I also wants to thank Athletics Kenya for giving up support for over a decade now, Safaricom has also been with us since our first ever event while this is the third year that Huawei is supporting our cause, we urge more sponsors to come on board, ”Madoka said.
Madoka explained that there are no plans to make the race a fully-fledged marathon. AK President Jackson Tuwei who officially presented Madoka with permit for this year’s race said Madoka Half Marathon is one of the few races they cherish within the AK calendar.
Tuwei said race organisers and institutions should follow suit by consulting AK for permits and sanctioning fees where applicable before holding any races around the country.