Athletics Kenya (AK) is seeking to upgrade Kenya’s four major marathon races in Eldoret, Nairobi, Kisumu and Mombasa to the required international standards in the next two years.
At the same time, AK chairman Isaiah Kiplagat, announced that the changes would go alongside the introduction of a jackpot where athletes who win three out of the four series events will get handsome cash rewards.
Kiplagat, however, disclosed at a press conference on Tuesday that the realisation of that dream would depend on sponsorship to cater for, among other things, dope tests and time, equipment and the overall prize fund.
“We really need to think ahead and find ways of improving these races to make them real and professional. Someone could break a world record here when we don’t have the right programmes in place,” Kiplagat explained.
“We will be required to invest in doping and time equipment in all the four races. The jackpot, which could go as high as Sh3 million makes it quite an expensive affair.”
Kiplagat said that each race would require funding of Sh5 million to Sh60 million and called on the corporate world to help make the programme a success.
The top AK official was speaking before receiving sponsorship of Sh800,000 from mobile telephone service provider Safaricom towards the prize kitty for the Mombasa International Marathon, due on May 9.
The marathon will follow the New KCC/Athletics Kenya weekend meeting at the Mombasa Municipal Council Stadium on May 6 and 7.
Safaricom’s chief supply chain and administration officer, Francis Murabula, handed the sponsorship cheque to Kiplagat, who was accompanied by AK Coast branch chairman Dimi Kisalu.
Sponsorship package
Kiplagat further cautioned that AK will not sanction any marathon race in the country whose sponsorship package is less than Sh100,000.
“We shall not permit people to solicit for sponsorship around then pocket the money instead of rewarding athletes for their sweat. Most of these races are mismanaged, with athletes being on the receiving end,” said Kiplagat.
Murabula detailed that the men’s and women’s full marathon winners shall pocket Sh200,000 apiece, an increment from Sh50,000 won last year.
Second-placed athletes will get Sh100,000 each, and those coming in third place Sh50,000. Fourth-placed athletes will each earn Sh20,000, followed by Sh15,000, Sh10,000 and Sh5,000 in that order. Those finishing eighth to 10th will get Sh2,000 each.
The total package is Sh816,000, and Kiplagat said AK will offset other miscellaneous expenses.
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