Athletes set for Kabarak Half Marathon

Male athletes compete in a 21 kilometers race during the second edition of the Kabarak University Half Marathon on July 14, 2018 [Photo: Suleiman Mbatiah/Standard]

Experienced runners have been enlisted for the third edition of Kabarak Half Marathon today.

The road race whose theme is ‘Crossing the Equator to support a needy student ’will be run from Mogotio to Kabarak University purely on tarmac throughout the distance.

Race Director James Cheruiyot said registration of runners has immensely improved after they extended the deadline from September 14 to Wednesday evening.

“As a tradition most runners normally rush for late registration and it has forced us to extend the registration deadline by one week in order to bring on board all athletes who have an interest in the race,” Cheruiyot told Standard Sports.

However, he revealed that defending champion Abraham Kiptum will not defend the title.

The winners of the main races for the men and women’s 21km road race will each pocket Sh150,000.

The runners up and third-place finishers will each take home Sh100,000 and Sh50,000 respectively.

Besides the 21km races, there will be 10km races for men and women and the 5km for the corporates and community categories, which has equally attracted a huge field.

The event received impressive financial support from different sponsors yesterday.

Addressing the congregation on behalf of Vice Chancellor Henry Kiplangat, the race coordinator Jacob Kibor thanked all the sponsors who have offered financial support that has so far hit Sh3.6 million.

ln attendance were representatives of sponsors who included those from Safaricom, Coca Cola Limited, Boresha Sacco, Kenya Power Company, Standard Group among others.

The race is meant to offer sponsorship support for over 5000 bright needy students that make the institution to spend over Sh1.8 million yearly.

In his address, the DVC in charge of Academic & Research John Ochola, talked about challenges he faces in administering school policies in ensuring full fees is paid before needy students sit for exams.