ABC bank group managing director Shamas Savani issues a cheque to Baringo County governor, Paul Tergat and members of the organizing Baringo marathon committee
The Baringo half marathon has been boosted with 10 million Kenya shillings and will have winners of the 21 km race pocket 300 thousands shillings; it was announced in Nairobi on Thursday morning.
While launching the race, founder Paul Tergat also revealed a special category will be included in this edition in a bid to discover and nurture raw talent, “school going children will participate in this year’s event. Schools are invited to register their teams with one thousand shillings in the 6km race where winners will pocket 100 thousand Kenya shillings in different disciplines. We will also reward individual athletes from these schools and scout them,” the former world marathon champion gave hope to participants.
Also present at the occasion was Baringo County governor Benjamin Cheboi who pledged full support of the event saying, “Baringo County is taking athletics very serious as this is one event that will put us on the map of the world. This is a forum where an opportunity to unify different people will be accorded as we get more international exposure, partnerships and create more business opportunities.” Cheboi also added that his County has set aside 5million Kenya shillings for supporting sporting activities and improving facilities in his County.
In his conclusion race patron Paul Tergat and Beijing Olympics 800 m gold medalist Wilfred Bungei urged competing athletes to avoid using banned substances, and instead instill high standards of discipline in their efforts to better themselves and Kenya as a country at large.
Baringo half marathon which will take place on 1st November in Kabarnet town, Baringo County, will have invited powerhouse guests, neighbors Ethiopia and Uganda bring in teams to beef up the competition dubbed as the most expensive Kenyan half marathon.
The race which will also have the first ten finishing competitors in all categories being prized has a registration fee of 500 shillings for individual senior men and women and 200 shillings for individual students beginning 25th September at ABC bank branches countrywide.
Author: Shadrack Andenga Odinga