Mountain runners Kipng'eno, Kiriago headline Nyamira Great Run

World Mountain and Trail Running champion Patrick Kipng’eno and silver medalist Philemon Kiriago are among the top athletes who have confirmed for the second edition of the Nyamira Great Run 21 km set for  Sunday.

Athletics Kenya (AK) Nyanza South chairman Peter Angwenyi said marathoner Enock Onchari is expected to light up the race.

Onchari ran an impressive personal best of 2:05:47 in Zurich Seville Marathon in February before winning the Wuxi Marathon in China a month later in 2:07:19. 

In an interview,  Onchari said: “I really want to race at home but I’m waiting for a final word from my coach because I ran back-to-back marathons in February and March.”

The race, sponsored by the county government of Nyamira, will start at Chepilat town and finish at Ikonge primary school.

Experienced marathoner George Onyancha has also entered the race alongside veteran pacer Sammy Nyokaye.

Kipng’eno and Kiriago bagged gold and silver during the inaugural World Mountain and Trail Running Championship in Chiang Mai, Thailand last year.

“I’m concerned with the number of women who have registered. I want to encourage them to register in large numbers because we have extended registration to Sunday morning,” added Angwenyi.

Registration is Sh1, 000 for elite runners and Sh500 for students. The registration pay bill is 8053559.

Angwenyi announced a new prize structure that will see the top 10 athletes receive cash awards. Winners in both categories will bag Sh250, 000 with second-placed athletes receiving Sh100, 000 and third-placed runners Sh50,000.

The top 10 local runners will also get awards from Governor Amos Nyaribo. “This is a special category that the governor will award in order to encourage local talent,” said Angwenyi. Nyaribo will officially flag off the race at 9 am.

The race which is in the Athletics Kenya calendar is aimed at tapping talent, recognizing heroes from the area, and raising breast cancer awareness.

Vincent Ng’etich and Jane Moraa clinched the men’s and women’s titles during the inaugural edition last year and are expected to defend their titles.