Safaricom Athletics Series returns

The Safaricom Athletics Series returns this weekend with the 4th edition of the Kericho Road Race to be held in Kericho County.

Over 300 participants from Kapsoit, Kisii, Bomet, Lotein, Kapsabet and Kericho are expected to take part in the race, which will pass through the highland tea plantations.

The race returns after a two-year break and will begin and end at Moi Gardens Kericho. Senator Aaron Cheruiyot and County Director of sports, Charles Ngerechi, will flag it off.

“Registration is currently ongoing, we anticipate good turnout as athletes in this region are very excited and eager to participate in the race after missing out for the last two years. We are hoping that this will be a major comeback,” said Race Organiser Kibet Biwott, from Axis Sports Marketing.

The event is the 4th in the Safaricom Athletics Series Long Distance Races category, and has received Kshs.1 million in sponsorship from Safaricom. The last edition in 2013 was won by Caroline Kilel and Ezra Sang, although they are yet to confirm if they will be returning this year to defend their titles.

The 10KM road race will see the top male and female athletes walk away with Kshs 35,000, Kshs 20,000 and Kshs 10,000 for positions one, two and three respectively. Winners from position four to ten will also receive prizes.

“We are happy to have Kericho Road Race in this year’s Safaricom Athletics Series. Being the only race of its kind in the county this year we’re hoping to use it as a platform to showcase talent from the region in line with our commitment to supporting the development of sports in Kenya right from grassroots level,” said Sylvia Mulinge, Director of Consumer Business at Safaricom.

Kericho is home to some of Kenya’s world champions, the likes of 2016 Rio Olympics 10,000M Silver medalist Paul Tanui and 5000M Commonwealth Games Champion Mercy Cherono, as well as long distance runner and 2013 Kericho Road race winner Ezra Sang.

Next week, Safaricom Athletics Series will move to Mombasa for the Mombasa International Marathon.

Other upcoming races in the Series include: Ndalat Gaa Cross Country, Madoka Half Marathon, Imenti South Road Race and Kisumu Town Marathon, which will wind up this year’s edition in December.

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