The Standard Chartered Nairobi Marathon has launched a six-week training program for Persons with Disabilities who will be taking part in the 2022 edition of the annual race.
Persons with Disabilities will participate in the 21km wheelchair race and 42km relay alongside the full marathon, half marathon, 10km and the 5km family fun run.
The marathon is slated for October 30.
This is part of the marathon’s agenda to support diversity and inclusion by increasing the participation of persons with disabilities.
The program builds on the partnership with the Association for the Physically Disabled of Kenya (APDK), Sight Savers and Light for the World; with renowned retired marathoner, Douglas Wakiihuri as the lead trainer for over 50 participants with disabilities.
Chair of the Local Organising Committee Peter Gitau said:“At Standard Chartered, we believe in a fair and balanced world, where everyone is welcome to participate and given the same chances in a safe and inclusive environment.
"We aim to boost access and equality within our events by running outreach programmes and partnering with local organisations to understand how we can improve accessibility to our events for people living with disabilities.”
The Marathon Organising Committee has worked with APDK over the years to mobilise wheelchair race participants for the marathon.
This includes the verification of the routes and venues for the wheelchair participants as well as putting together the requirements of the wheelchair participants for the marathon.
Last year, the marathon hosted 86 wheelchair race participants.
Speaking during the launch at Parklands Sports Club, Gitau added: “The Standard Chartered Nairobi Marathon has evolved from being just a sporting event to becoming a platform for driving sustainability and community engagement initiatives."
"It has become an event that promotes innovation, collaboration and solidarity amongst participants and spectators and have a positive impact on the natural environment. This is aligned to global trends to integrate sustainability into major sporting events."
Registration for the Standard Chartered Nairobi Marathon is open at www.nairobimarathon.com for both virtual and physical marathon.
Individual and corporate participants are encouraged to take advantage of the early bird entry fee of Sh2,000 up to October 10 which will go up to Sh2,500 between October 10 and 16, the deadline day.
