How Stanchart Nairobi marathon changed Lucas Wandia's life

Deaflympics captain Lucas Wandia during the launch of the 20th Edition of the Standard Chartered Nairobi Marathon at Uhuru Gardens. [Jonah Onyango, Standard]

Kenya Deaflympics team captain Lucas Wandia has hailed Standard Chartered Nairobi Marathon for changing his family fortunes.

The 3000m steeplechase record holder is currently able to feed his young family without any stress.

This is after he joined the bank’s Futuremakers program that aims to tackle inequality and promote greater economic inclusion for young people in local communities focusing on three pillars; Entrepreneurship, Employability and Education.

Through the initiative, Wandia got funds which he used to start a chicken business last year.

“I bought 22 chicken which have so far multiplied, I have been able to sell the chicken and their products. I’m  using the proceeds to feed my family, I also comfortably pay school fees for my four children,” Wandia told Standard Sports.

Wandia was speaking in Nairobi yesterday during the launch of the 20th edition of Standard Chartered Nairobi Marathon.

The race will be held on October 29 at the Southern Bypass with finishing point at Uhuru Gardens.

Wandia, who led Team Kenya to a record 24 medals (5 gold, 7 silver, 12 bronze) at last year’s 24th Summer Deaflympics in Caxias Do Sul in Brazil, will take part in the 21km race under People Living With Disability (PLWD) category.

“I have been preparing well for the race in Ngong Hills under head coach Sammy Kibet,” said Wandia who bagged gold in men’s steeplechase in Brazil.

“I have done everything, I’m just waiting for the race, I’m very much ready.”

The 20th edition of Standard Chartered Nairobi Marathon is targeting 25,000 athletes from the 20,000 realised last season.

The marathon aims to raise Sh40 million from the Sh38 million netted last year.

Registration for the marathon goes for Sh2000 per athlete, it can be done both physical and online.

Unlike the two previous editions which were affected by the Covid-19 pandemic, there will be no virtual races alongside the physical marathon this year.

Instead, the virtual contests will be substituted with physical runs in Standard Chartered network branches in Mombasa and Kisumu which will be held on the same day as the main marathon in Nairobi.

As a way of celebrating the 20th edition of the race, the marathon organisers will issue 30,000 tree seedlings to participants to promote sustainable actions on climate change.

While hailing the Nairobi premier race, AK president Jackson Tuwei congratulated Stanchart Bank for holding a competition that is in line with AK vision and mission pledging that the federation will fully support the race.

“The race is advocating for sustainable actions on climate change which is also currently a priority for the federation.

“Besides climate change, there is also the matter of air pollution which is slowly becoming a threat to sports, as AK we have chosen to become a part of this initiative awareness,” Tuwei underlined.