Chebet to compete at Tom Mboya marathon

By Phillip Orwa

Emily Chebet and Ethiopia’s Belaynesh Oljira at the World Cross Country Championships in Poland. [PHOTO: FILE]

Mbita, in Homabay County, will stage the annual Huawei Tom Mboya Marathon on Friday on Rusinga island.

The marathon will be staged within Rusinga island covering a distance of 21km, another one for ten-kilometres and a two-kilometre fun race.

“This will be one of the activities that will be marked to celebrate 50-years of independence in Homabay County,” said Gen (RTD) Jack Tuwei during the launch of the race.

Wind Li, the CEO of Huawei Technology Company, who are this year’s title sponsors, presented a cheque of Sh2 million to Athletics Kenya.

The fucntion was also attended by this year’s Boston and Chicago Marathon winner Rita Jeptoo, who is the event’s ambassador.

 “Among athletes who have confirmed participation include Emily Chebet the World Senior Women Cross Country Champion and last year’s winner of the 10km road race in Rusinga,” said Topi Lyambila,  the Communication Director of Tom Mboya Memorial marathon.

“There will also be veteran runner Irene Lemika, a former New York and Boston half marathon champion, Wilfrida Kwamboka, who is this year’s Standard Chattered Marathon champion, Isabella Ochichi, who is this year’s Gotelborgsvarvert Half Marathon champion, Valentine Kipketer  the Berlin Half Marathon champion in 2011 and last editions’ 21km winner Hosea Nailel.”

Several elite athletes have also agreed to grace the event, though they will not be running. They include former World Marathon champion  Abel Kirui, World 1,500m Champion Asbel Kiprop, Conseslius Kipkorir, the World silver medalist over the 3,000m steeplechase, Benjamin Limo, a former Olympian, Luke Kibet a former World Marathon champion, Eunice Sum, the World 800m Champion and Rita Jeptoo, winner of the Boston and Chicago marathons.

The winner of the 21km race will take home Sh150,000 and the runner up will pocket Sh100,000 while the third finisher will have Sh75,000. The prizes will trickle down to position 17. In the 10km, the winner will get Sh75, 000, second position will attract Sh50, 000.