Ndakaini race winners to bag Sh150,000

By Feverpitch Reporter

Organisers of UAP Ndakaini Half Marathon have expanded the event to attract 2,000 competitors as they upped the winners’ prize taking for the main 21km races to Sh150,000 during its seventh running on September 18.

Already, some 750 runners have enlisted for the event that will be the first in the country to feature a marathon relay competition open to secondary schools from Kigumo, Thika, Kandara and Gatanga districts in a trial that could see this format adopted for other similar events in future.

Speaking to the press yesterday, UAP head of marketing and distribution, Joseph Kamiri also revealed the insurance firm had increased the event’s sponsorship to Sh5m.

"This year’s edition is much bigger than previous ones and is expected to attract more international runners," he said. Other events in the day’s programme include 15km, 10km, 5km and 3km family run races.

Support events

Speaking at the same function, Olympic marathon champion, Samuel Wanjiru who for the second year will be Ndakaini Half’s ambassador said, "Athletes should come out to support such events that prove you do not have to run abroad to make money. Nowadays, sport is business and fellow youth should focus more on it since it is not a must that one must be employed at an office to make a living."

Wanjiru will feature in the fun run to motivate children looking up to emulate his success in distance running.

South Africa will send eight runners for the race billed as one of the toughest half marathon courses in the world with its steep climbs with Uganda, Japan and Tanzania nationalities also expected.

Registration for the event is ongoing at all UAP branches and offices of Ndakaini Environmental Conservation Association under which the event is organised. The event aimed at sensitising and aiding in conservation of Ndakaini Dam that contributes 80 per cent of water consumed in Nairobi.