All set for Mwea Classic half marathon

The seventh edition of the Mwea Classic Half Marathon has been launched and the race is slated for September 17 in Mwea, Kirinyaga County.

Among the elite athletes registered for the race are former world marathon record holder Patrick Makau, former 10,000m Commonwealth gold medallist Lucy Kabuu and former world junior and youth 800m champion Flavious Kwamboka.

Apart from contesting, the three top athletes from Ngong Running Team camp will use the race to gauge their level of performance ahead of their scheduled races abroad starting October.

The three will be joined by Hellen Obiri who is also member of the camp and has also registered for this year’s edition.

“I will use this race to realise my potential especially after changing from 10,000m to marathon,” said Kabuu, the 2006 Melbourne Commonwealth Games 5,000m bronze medallist.

Race chairman Charles Gichobi said there would be a two-day Agri Expo before the race whose registration is free for students.

“I am glad that sponsors, including Nakumatt,ZTE, KenGen, Kwal, Britam and Equity Bank among others have come on board. We will award a total of Sh600,000 in prizes while the race proceeds will be used to improve the level of education in Kirinyaga County,” said Gichobi.