Nyandarua County to host Half Marathon race for conservation of lake
By David Macharia, October 31, 2023
The inaugural Lake Ol Bollosat Half Marathon staged by Nandarua County government is expected to attract over 300 runners to compete for a share of Sh2.6 million prize kitty.
Former marathon queen, Catherine Ndereba, was unveiled as the ambassador for the event set for November 26th this year.
Speaking last Friday after launching registration for the event, Nyandarua governor Kiarie Badilisha promised attractive cash prizes for winners.
Men and women winners of the 21km race, which is the main event, will pocket Sh200,000 each. The prize depth covers top ten finishers.
“In addition to the money, runners could walk away with cow or maize milling machine,” said the County boss.
The Half Marathon that is geared at raising money for restoration and conservation of the lake, the only one in Mt Kenya region, will start at Equator – a place that is popularly known as “Latitude Zero” because it marks where Equator passes in Nyandarua County.
The runners will then follow Nyahururu-Ol Kalou highway before branching off at Kasuku town and finish on the shows of the Lake.
The event which the Governor said will be an annual one will also feature 10km for elite runners and 5km for wheelchair and veteran competitors. There will also be 2km for corporate and family.
Two banks, DTB and KCB through officials Wycliffe Achivaga and Judith Koech respectively pledged support for the event.
Achivaga said, “DTB head office is keen on becoming a major sponsor, thus turning the event into an international marathon that would attract runners from as far as Ethiopia.”
Ndereba said the event is coming at a very appropriate time when the world is emphasizing on conservation of environment.
“People should start training for future editions of the event because that way they will be improving their health,” the former winner of major marathons in the world advised Nyandarua people.