RESTORING LOST GLORY: Nyeri half Marathon organisers keen to make the event a success

By MUTWIRI MUTUOTA for The Standard

Organisers of the 13th Nyeri Half Marathon are keen to restore the event’s glory of recent years.

The November 29 event that will end at the historic Dedan Kimathi Stadium (formerly Kamukunji Grounds) in the Central Province headquarters located 154km from Nairobi returns this year.

"Time has come to restore Nyeri Half, one of the oldest Half Marathons back to the status it enjoyed a few years ago. We noticed the event was stagnating in prominence though it has fulfilled its objectives of tapping talent," Anthony Maina, the finance director, said.

Drama has been associated with the event, most memorably the 2005 edition where First Lady, Lucy Kibaki, the chief guest, tore into then Sports Minister, Ochillo Ayacko and Sports Stadia Management Board over the state of swimming pools at Nyayo and Kasarani complexes.

In 2007, some runners eager to make a quick buck waited until the last kilometre of the men’s 21km main event before dashing from the crowd to the finish only for their trick to be unearthed minutes later when genuine winners trooped to the stadium.

And in its launch on Tuesday, invited Athletics Kenya (AK) officials used the sidelines to blast the Mara International Marathon that was being concurrently unveiled at a different part of Nairobi.

In spite of the sideshows, Nyeri Half has earned its niche as a key calendar event and this year, the steering committee has revamped its running.

Thanks to increased sponsorship from title backers, Safaricom, that was raised to Sh918,000 (up from Sh600,000), the top prize money for main 21km men and women races has doubled to Sh100,000. Runners-up will receive Sh50,000 with Sh30,000, Sh25,000 and Sh20,000 going to third, fourth and fifth placers.

A competitive field is also being drawn. Already, the 2007 World marathon champion, Luke Kibet, has signed up with twice winner and course record holder, Nathan Kosgei (2005/2007) returning. Defending champion, Peter Muriuki has been contacted but is yet to confirm entry.

"I’m willing to go the full distance this time and I’m ready for the event," Kibet who finished third at Bupa South Run in Portsmouth on October 25 (10km), said yesterday.

Last year’s Broad Street Run (US) winner, Jane Murage, who finished second at last year’s edition, is fronting the women’s field.

"This year, I’m going for victory. I know the course well and it will be a good build-up for my season," Murage said.

Also lined up for the event, whose patron is twice women’s World champion and Olympic silver medallist, Catherine Ndereba is one of the most recognised international distance athletes who will come in as a guest.