Kihika launches the Nakuru City Half Marathon

• Nakuru City Half Marathon was launched by Governor Susan Kihika and is set to be held on November 27.
• The winners of the 21km race will be taking home Ksh. 500,00, while the second and third positions will attract a prize of Ksh 250,000 and Ksh. 100,000 respectively.
• Elbenyo Simiyu won the last year’s edition 21km race with Catherine Relin.

The second edition of the Nakuru City Half Marathon was on Tuesday launched by the newly elected Nakuru Governor Susan Kihika, with the event set to be held on November 27, 2022.

Athletes lined up at the starting point of the first edition of the Nakuru City Half Marathon last year. Photo/ Nakuru.go.ke

The 10 million prize event will see more than 3000 athletes take part from 2000 athletes who participated in last year’s edition.

The Nakuru County Government is hosting the event a day before Nakuru City turns a year older since it was crowned a city status. It will be looking to showcase its major tourist attractions, the Menengai Craft and Hyrax Hills.

Speaking during the launch ceremony in Nakuru, Governor Kihika promised to make sports in Nakuru a priority and that she wants to make this marathon bigger than before.

“It’s one of the biggest agendas in our administration, and with this being my first engagement with sports, I will be looking forward to making my firm commitment that my government is fully behind the marathon and make it even bigger and better,” said Governor Kihika.

Kihika further added that her dream is to make the Nakuru City Marathon a top-class marathon that will serve as an international stage for athletes.

“My government is very keen on sports, and I want to turn the Nakuru City marathon into a top-class marathon like Berlin, Boston among other Major Marathons in the world.” Added Kihika

Race Course

The 21 km race will be the major event for the day, with Midlands Hotel as the starting point before taking to Milimani Estate and heading to the West Road via Pivot Hotel.

The race takes Kariba Street just before the Oginga Odinga Road and then terminates at the Rift Valley Sports Club.

The 10km race also starts from the same venue, with runners running through Kimalel Street, Afraha Stadium, Section 58, and then back to the city centre and ending the race at Rift Valley Sports Club.

The five-kilometre race starts from the same venue as the 21km and 10km races to pass through Oginga Odinga, then navigate through Mburu Gichua Road and Afraha Stadium.

The race ends at the Rift Valley Sports Club.

Race Prize

The winners of the 21km race will be taking home Sh. 500,00, while the second and third positions will attract a prize of Sh 250,000 and Ksh. 100,000 respectively.

The 10km race winner will pocket up to Sh. 100,000 while the runners up KSh75,000 with second runners pocketing Ksh50,000.

Also in attendance were different Athletics bosses, including Athletics Kenya South Rift Chairman John Wachira, Nakuru City Marathon Coordinator Martin Keino, Race Director John Kimetto, and Jepta Rono, Officer in charge of Publicity.

Last Years edition’s 21km race was won by Elbenyo Simiyu, with Catherine Relin winning the women’s race while Cornelius Kemboi and Daisy Chepkemoi won the 10km race.