NAIROBI, Kenya, October 10 – Athletics Kenya (AK) president Isaiah Kiplagat on Thursday directed marathon organisers in the country should close registration on the eve to avoid confusion and delay at the day of event.
This was witnessed last weekend during the Kenya Airways Masai Mara Marathon, which saw the programme start late due to registration going on up to the day of action.
Consequently, he has asked his vice-president in charge of administration, David Okeyo, to enforce the order that takes effect immediately.
Kiplagat was speaking at Riadha House during the launch of Madoka Half Marathon slotted for October 19 in Wundanyi, Taita County.
“During the Masai Mara Marathon, I issued instructions that registration will now stop one day before the event,” said the AK boss.
“We don’t want organizers to delay events, when the marathon is supposed to start at 9 O’clock, registration is still going on, even issuing a start list is a problem so we are making this rule so that people don’t keep on rushing in the last minute,” he continued.
Kiplagat added, the AK board, Executive Committee and regional chairpersons will have a retreat in Naivasha on October 25 and 26 to review the calendar of events for the new season and ensure it meets athletes’ requirements.
“We have extended the invitation to all our sponsors and the Government to join us and tell us if they are happy with us or not,” the AK boss stated.
“This is the first time we want to get a feedback from our sponsors because sometimes we get the money, and just say thank you, next year we ask them for more yet we have not asked them whether we are using their money the way is supposed to be used,” he explained.
First Lady, Margaret Kenyatta is slotted as the chief guest of the eighth Madoka event.
“We started this marathon because we realized there is talent at the Coast that we never had the opportunity to encourage the people in the region,” the retired Major General told journalists.
“That’s what inspired me to try and bring up this event so that we can marshal the coast generally to try and get more involved in athletics so that they get privilege of being international athletes,” event founder and Chairman, Marsden Madoka noted adding that since its inception, it has developed and natured talent in the Coastal region.
“The altitude at Ngereni where the event will take place is like Rift Valley,” Madoka said.
The event is a leg of the Safaricom Athletics Series that will see the jackpot winner walk away with 3,504.67 USD (Sh300, 000).
This year’s edition will also include, 12Km for the junior, six for boys under 12 and four for girls Under-12.
Safaricom sponsored the event for 17,523.36 USD (Sh1.5m) to cater for security, running numbers, prize money and other logistics.
“This is part of our continued investment in athletics, our aim is to ensure that the sponsorship will go a long way in making the events successful as we nature upcoming talent from the grassroots,” said the firm’s Sponsorship Coordinator, Angeline Sonje.
Others who came on board are, Brookeside Dairy and Chase Bank who presented cheques of 6,425.23USD (Sh550, 000) and 5,841.12USD (Sh500, 000).
Winners will pocket 1,168.22USD (Sh100, 000) each for the 21Km men and women races.
