The 9th Edition of the annual Safaricom Kisii Half Marathon is scheduled to take place on Friday, 10th August in Kisii town.Safaricom has given KES 1 Million towards sponsorship of the event which is part of this year’s Safaricom Athletics Series.
Launched in 2013, the Safaricom Athletics Series aims to transform lives through sports, using sporting events to bring communities together while at the same time identifying and nurturing new talent and Safaricom Kisii Half Marathon is one of them. Safaricom has invested close to KES 1 billion in various athletics events, and has for the last three years brought these events together under the banner of the Safaricom Athletics Series
Defending champions Philes Ongori and Joseph Koech are among the star athletes who will battle it out for this year’s title. Other notable names expected are former champion Grace Momanyi, Teresa Omosa and Mully Safaricom Kisii Half Marathon champion Sammy Nyokaye.
“Preparations for this year’s race are in top gear and we are hoping to have a good turnout. Safaricom Kisii Half Marathon has grown over the years and has given local athletes a platform to discover their talent.” said Peter Angwenyi, Athletics Kenya, South Nyanza Chairperson.
The winners will walk away with KES 100,000 each while the first runners up will receive KES 50,000 with third place finishers getting get KES 30,000.
“Over the years, the Safaricom Kisii Half marathon has produced international athletes like Wesley Ochoro, Ruth Bosibori, Grace Momanyi and Edwin Mokua among others. This is why we take pride in associating ourselves with this marathon and hope to see more athletes being discovered,” said Charles Kare, Acting Director, Consumer Business, Safaricom.