Veteran Kinja wins Sokoke Forest Mountain Bike Challenge

Riders at the start of the Sokoke forest bike Mountain bike challenge at the Turtle Bay resort in Watamu on Saturday, May 4, 2019. More than 100 cyclists participated in the second edition of the race. [Nehemiah Okwembah, Standard]

Veteran cyclist David Kinja beat 100 contestants to win the Sokoke Forest Mountain Bike Challenge in Watamu, Kilifi North Sub County on Saturday.

The challenge ran from the entrance of Turtle Bay resort and snaked straight through the Arabuko Sokoke forest covering approximately 70 kilometers attracted both local and foreign tourists.

The proceeds of the race went towards conservation of the Arabuko Sokoke forest.

Kinjah, who started the race two minutes after the rest was in a class of his own as he won his second Sokoke title.

Boniface Gitau, who at 17 years was one of the youngest participant said: “The race was good though I had some few problems with my bicycle, I got a puncture but still I have completed the race.”

He added that the terrain was rough and difficult making some riders getting lost along the way.

The event was funded by Rocha Kenya, an environmental organization which aims to raise funds for over 100 students living around the Arabuko Sokoko forest.

 “We want to share with them and their families the enthusiasm for taking good care of the forest and protecting its unique wildlife species,” said Rocha Kenya national director Colin Jackson.

He added that successful participants will be helped to gain access to the national cycling competitions and even to the International level.

 “The race was good, we have champions, who participated and through them the junior cyclists can be motive,” said Jackson.