By Emilly Wang'ombe

Kenyans will once again be treated to another star studded action in the UNEP’s (United Nations   Environment Programme) 40th Anniversary Half Marathon on Sunday 19th February 2012. The event will take place at Kenya Technical Teachers College (KTTC) in Gigiri. There will be a Half marathon of 21 Kms and a Fun run of 5 Kms.

The event is set to kick start UNEP’s celebrations to mark its 40th Anniversary.  Kenya’s current and former marathon champions have confirmed that they will be joining over 1,000 registered runners in the Half-Marathon and five-kilometer Fun Run.

Among the champions to grace the function is, Patrick Makau, Kenya’s Current Marathon World Record Holder, Susan Chepkemei, former World Half-Marathon Champion and Rotterdam Marathon Champion, Joseph Kahugu and 2004 Madrid Marathon Champion.  Isaac Macharia, who is a three-time Bogota Half-Marathon Champion (2007-2009), Patrick Ivuti who won the Chicago Marathon in 2007 are also expected that day.

Daniel Komen, world record-holder for the (indoor and outdoor) 3,000 meters and William Chebon, the 2009 Gold Coast Marathon Champion will also honour the event.

The winners of the Half-Marathon (men’s and women’s) will take home ksh 100,000/- with other cash prizes for runners  who will finish in the first ten positions. Traffic on the day of the competition will be briefly blocked along the course of both races. The Half-Marathon will start at the KTTC main gate moving along Runda Road- Ruaka Road- Limuru Road- Red Hill Road - Thigiri Ridge Road - Peponi Road/Lower Kabete Road-Lower Kabete Ring Road  roundabout - General Mathenge Road - 3rd Avenue Parklands-Limuru Road - Muthaiga and on to the finish at the KTTC Sports Ground.

The five-kilometer Fun Run will take place along Runda Road in Gigiri. Registration is ongoing at various points in Nairobi, including Riadha House (Nairobi), Grand Prix (Eldoret), Iten, Kaptagat,  Kapsabet and Ngong.  Runners can also register during Kenya’s Annual National Cross Country championship on Saturday.

{flike}{fsend}

{fcomment}