Over 9,000 athletes have already registered for the eighth edition of the Standard Chartered Nairobi International marathon that will be held on October 31.
The number is 6000, short of the target and this has prompted the organisers to extend the registration deadline to next Tuesday.
Deadline for registration had earlier been set for October 20 but due to the last minute rash by the majority to beat the deadline, the bank has agreed to push forward the registration so as to allow for more entries.
The race has grown from its inception in 2003 attracting slightly over 5,000 athletes to its current status with 13,000 participants having taken part in 2009.
Public demand
“We have received entries in all categories. However, due to public demand, we have made the decision to re-open registration for all those participants who did not manage to meet the deadline,” said Geoffrey Githinji, the chairman of the race Steering Committee.
Registration continues at all Standard Chartered Bank branches countrywide, selected malls and health clubs in Nairobi. This year’s event is expected to attract 15,000 participants as well as unearth new talent.
Over the last five years, the Nairobi marathon has produced new winners, who have gone on to dominate the big City Races across the globe.
“One of the objectives of the race is to offer an excellent opportunity for runners to not only run one race of their own but to experience an international meet on their home soil,” said Githinji.
The 2010 Commonwealth marathon winners John Kelai and Irene Jerotich have run in the Nairobi marathon.
Course record
Last year, debutant Moses Kigen set a course record of 2:10:12 to win the men’s marathon dethroning the 2008 winner Moses Tuiyange who came in second.
In the women’s race, Irene Jerotich became the first winner in the history of the event to successfull defend here title with a course record of 2:28:47.
ShareThis