Organisers of the 4th edition of the Moi Girls’ Kapsowar Charity and Conservation race have upgraded it from the initial 10km race to a half marathon.
The race will take place on June 22 in Kapsowar in Elgeyo Marakwet county. The half marathon will start at Chebiemit Centre through Chebara Centre, Marakwet Boys, Cheptongei, Kipkunur Forest, Kapsowar Market and back to the school compound.
Athletics Kenya (AK) Elgeyo Marakwet County secretary, Boniface Tiren, said they have upgraded the race to accommodate many athletes preparing for various local and international assignments.
“This county has so many athletes capable of running both 10-km and a-half marathons. We decided to upgrade to a half marathon to accommodate many of them who could not manage the 10km, which is a faster race,” said Tiren.
Tiren said Kenyans have been competing in many road races across the world and the Kapsowar event will be part of their build-up, especially the marathon runners.
“We want to motivate many road runners, who will soon graduate to marathons and other road races,” he said.
Apart from the 21km for the elites, there will be the normal boys’ 8km and girls’ 5km for students and 2km for corporate and the elderly.
“The half marathon winners will pocket Sh200,000, second-placed Sh150,000 and third-placed Sh100,000. The awards will run all the way to position 20,” he said.
The 8km winners will pocket Sh50,000, second-placed sh40,000 and third place Sh30,000— running to the 20th person to cross the line.
He said the proceeds of the race will be used to pay school fees for the needy students in the school.
“The school has supported over 500 vulnerable students through this program and that is a noble idea that many should adopt,” he said.
Last year, Hillary Kipkoech and road race specialist Naomi Jebet were the winners of the 10km race. Kipkoech won the men’s title in 28:32.3 ahead of James Koech (28:36.90 and Mathew Kimeli (28:415) while Jebet led Purity Chemutai and Catherine Reline to the podium.
