Winners in this year’s Masai Mara International Marathon will reap heavily after organisers of the event increased prize money by 400 percent.
Top runners in the main 21km race for men and women will pocket Sh250,000 each, up from Sh50,000 champions pocketed in the inaugural event last year.
The marathon is scheduled for November 20 at Olchoro Oiruwua Wildlife Conservancy of Mara. The top 10 finishers in men and women’s races will get awards.
The event’s manager John Konchellah told a press briefing in Nairobi that the event is intended to fundraise for educational causes, among other objectives.
To work towards the goal, the organisers have announced Sh1million school fees for community around Olchoro Oiruwua Conservancy.
Konchellah said: "Masai Mara Eco-System is a multi-billion resource but the plight of its people is deplorable."
"We want to give back to the community so they view wildlife as an economic resource and not a menace to their lives."
Kenya Commercial Bank (KCB) and Wrigleys joined the marathon family by donating Sh200,000 and Sh500,000 during the briefing yesterday.
Other sponsors for the race include Kenya Airways and Fairmont Mara Safari Club. Konchellah said they are working towards beating challenges they encountered last year.
"We faced several challenges and especially the financial part of it. We’ve since partnered with corporates who have helped us top the prize money through their donations," he said.
The marathon technical manager Billy Konchellah said they are targeting maximum of 1,000 runners. He said 500 athletes have registered ahead of Thursday’s deadline.
"We intend to take 1,000 runners because of environmental issues," he said.
Registration is ongoing at Riadha House, Kenya Airways Headquarters and Athletics Kenya Narok branch among other offices.
Willing participants can also contact Konchellah (John) on 0722369885.
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