November 17, 2010 – More than 500 anticipated participants are concluding their training ahead of this weekend’s Kenya Airways Masai Mara Marathon.

KQ Corporate Communications Manager Chris Karanja said the event is a big attraction for both professional athletes and fun runners.

The run, which includes a 21km and 5km event, will take off from the Fairmont Mara Safari Club under the theme “Let the Rivers Flow”.

The Marathon, which is the only other run within a wildlife sanctuary apart from the annual run in Lewa, is sanctioned by Athletics Kenya and shall be run under the IAAF Rules.

Sean Walwyn, Sales & Marketing Director, Fairmont Hotels & Resorts East Africa said that the hotel chain was proud to be associated with the Masai Mara Marathon for the second year running.

‘This event brings together Kenyan’s finest – our internationally renowned athletes and our diverse and rich wildlife, at the famed Masai Mara. The race will be set against this magnificent backdrop and will start and finish off at Fairmont Mara Safari Club’. Our objective is to not only use this event to promote local and international tourism, but to support the local community living within and outside the Olchorro Oirowua Conservancy,” he said.

The event is organized by the Masai Mara Marathon Ltd in partnership with The Rotary Club of Nairobi, Kenya Airways and Fairmont Hotels & Resorts East Africa. 

The inaugural Masai Mara Marathon took place in November 2009 and attracted 352 participants.