Beyond Zero campaign: Runners battle for glory in First Lady marathon

Nairobi City is set to come alive this morning when more than 20,000 participants line up at the second First Lady Lady’s Half Marathon run, which anchors the Beyond Zero campaign.

The 21km event, which starts at 7am, will attract a host of marathon exponents among them two-time world marathon champion among other top stars.

Traffic will be affected in major roads leading to the city centre, especially along the designated race course, which will be closed or have diversions between 1am and 1pm today.

“We have an elaborate and a comprehensive plan to manage traffic that day. There will be diversions and closures of some roads within Nairobi County. Diversions and closures of the affected roads will take place as from 1am and 5am respectively up to noon,” said Nairobi County Traffic Police boss Musyoki Mutungi.

James Mang’erere, the Standard Chartered Marathon wheelchair race winner, will lead wheelchair and tricycle athletes.

AK vice president in charge of competitions, David Okeyo, said the marathon – which features four categories in 21km, 10km, 2km and the wheelchair showpiece –will be flagged off at Uhuru Highway near the Nyayo National Stadium with the athletes proceeding towards the Central Business District.

Okeyo said 10km and 21km runners take Haile Selassie, Uhuru Highway RoadAbout —Railways Sports Club — Community — City Mortuary Round About – T-mall Round About – 21km turning point (Langata road) — General Motors(turn-around point) — finish line.

This year’s 21km spectacle targets to raise Sh600 million which will go towards buying 27 fully-kitted mobile clinics which will be distributed to the counties that are yet to benefit from the proceeds accrued from the first edition of the half marathon.

The winner of the 21km race for both men and women will take home Sh750,000 with the runners up taking home Sh500,000 and third-placed athlete taking home Sh250,000.

Winner of the 10km race in men and women races will receive Sh250,000, with the runners up taking home Sh100,000 and third-placed finisher taking home Sh50,000.

Meanwhile, the inaugural Lari Marathon run will be staged outside Carbacid in the heart of Kerita Forest in Kiambu County on March 28.

Lari marathon, staged in an altitude of 2,000 feet above sea level, is similar to Eldoret’s Kass Marathon and offers runners an opportunity to experience the Kenyan wild.

Karegwa Muchiri, the Marathon team leader, said the race was unique as it is run within Kereita Forest.