NAIROBI, Kenya, December 4- Over 1000 athletes have registered for the first Nairobi voter registration sensitisation IEBC Marathon on Sunday.
According to race director and national cross country coach John Mwithiga, the entry numbers are an overwhelming response for a 10K race by any standards with elite runners expected to pen their participation.
“Going by the entry of elite and fun runners this could make the race the biggest 10K event in Nairobi ever,” Mwithiga streamed.
The race divided into senior, junior and senior citizens categories with a top cash prize of Sh40,000 and free t shirts for all participants.
Mwithiga added the city race will raise the bar ahead of similar races in Eldoret and Mombasa which are organised by the electoral body.
The meeting will start and end at the expansive Makongeni Railways Staff Quarters and will use Jogoo Road and adjacent feeder roads.
Planning is at an advanced stage and the race will coincide with voter registration at the venue.
Organised by IEBC in conjunction with FineTouch Communications, the race will be the season ender in Nairobi which prepares to host the National Cross Country Championships in February.
Mwithiga said elite athletes from the disciplined forces and Ngong Hills town-based clubs are expected to give the race a touch of class.
The IEBC held its first race last Sunday in Nyeri which attracted very many runners athletes. On Sunday a bicycle race will be held in Kakamega.
Dubbed Tuko Mbio na Kura, the participants are expected to use their voters’ card as entry for the event with special dispensation given to junior runners, according to the organizers, IEBC.
The poll body hopes to use the races to sensitise the public to register and vote in large numbers come the next General Election on March 13 next year.
Several VIPs have also shown interest in taking part in the race which has been sanctioned by Athletics Kenya.
