Iten’s Alex Nzioka emerged victorious in the second edition of the Mwema Mwea National Reserve Half Marathon, held at the weekend in Embu County to raise funds for supporting students from poor families in Mwea sub-county.

Fresh off his triumph at the May 2024 Bucharest Half Marathon, Nzioka displayed remarkable resilience, battling the scorching heat to claim the men’s title with an impressive time of 1:02:49.

Close behind, the tension was palpable as Martin Mumo from Machakos County and Laikipia’s Michael Kamau fought tooth and nail, securing second and third place with times of 1:03:14 and 1:04:03, respectively.

The tight race kept spectators on the edge of their seats until the final moments.

On the women’s side, Alice Koigi, the 2022 Singapore Half Marathon champion, continued her winning streak with a commanding victory.

Clocking in at 1:13:41, Koigi left no doubt as to her dominance, finishing ahead of hometown hero Eunice Muchiri and Mary Munanu, who completed the race in 1:16:01 and 1:16:05, respectively.

The intensity didn’t stop there. In the 10km race, Stanley Njihia outpaced his competitors to cross the finish line in 32:05, narrowly beating Harrison Muchira, who finished just 25 seconds later at 32:30.

For the women, Lydia Wanjira delivered a stellar performance, securing the top spot with a time of 39:33, while Lilian Musenya took second place, finishing in 41:11.

The marathon, held within the scenic Mwea National Reserve in Makima, Mbeere South, wasn’t just about athleticism—it was also a celebration of local tourism.
Runners navigated the breathtaking landscapes, all while promoting the region’s natural beauty to a broader audience.

Proceeds from the event will go toward a noble cause: supporting students from underprivileged families who struggle to afford school fees, making this race not just a test of endurance, but also an act of community empowerment.

Embu deputy governor Kinyua Mugo conveyed that the annual marathon will also help to market Mwea game reserve as a tourist site and increase revenue for the county.

Paul Mutwii a senior vice president at the Athletics Kenya (AK) noted that the marathon will be included in the national calendar to make it a National thing with Makima Ward MCA Philip Nzangi stating it’s a