- More than 2,000 athletes are expected for Sunday’s charity race in Kericho County.
- Proceeds will support orphans and needy students attending Belgut Starehe Schools.
- The event combines athletics, education fundraising and community services for residents across Belgut.
The third edition of the Belgut Half Marathon will be held on Sunday, August 23, with more than 2,000 athletes expected to participate in a charity race aimed at helping keep needy children in school.
The event, whose climax and finishing point will be at Kabianga School near the University of Kabianga in Kericho County, is the brainchild of Belgut MP Nelson Koech and seeks to raise funds to support orphans and needy students at Belgut Starehe Schools.
The initiative provides an alternative avenue for raising education funds at a time when bursary resources remain limited and the number of learners requiring financial assistance continues to grow.
Koech said the marathon was conceived to complement the available bursary kitty and ensure that deserving learners do not miss out on education because of financial difficulties.
“The marathon is about transforming lives through education. We want to mobilise additional resources to support our orphans and needy students at Belgut Starehe Schools,” Koech said.
Three race categories
The race will feature three categories—the 21km Half Marathon, 10km race and 5km fun race—with both men and women eligible to compete.
The 21km race will start at Taplotin and pass through Tegat, Cheptororiet Dairy and Chepnyogaa before finishing at Kabianga School. The 10km race will start at Cheptororiet Dairy, while the 5km fun race will start at Nyabangi Centre.
A total of Sh3.43 million is up for grabs, with winners of the 21km race set to pocket Sh500,000 each in the men’s and women’s categories. Winners of the 10km race will receive Sh100,000 each, while the 5km winners will take home Sh50,000 each.
Koech said special prizes had also been set aside for the best-performing athletes from Belgut Constituency as part of efforts to promote local talent.
Athletics stars expected
The race has attracted an impressive line-up of athletics stars, including Olympic champions Eliud Kipchoge, Faith Kipyegon and Ezekiel Kemboi, African 100m record holder Ferdinand Omanyala, Olympic silver medallist Ferguson Rotich, New York Marathon winner Sheila Chepkirui and javelin world champion Julius Yego.
More than 200 Athletics Kenya officials are expected to oversee technical management, officiating, testing and awarding.
Beyond the sporting competition, the event is expected to boost local businesses through increased activity while providing residents with access to services including a free medical camp and Huduma Mashinani.
Koech said the long-term vision is to grow the marathon into one of the country’s respected sporting events while expanding its contribution to education and other community causes.
“The vision is to grow the Belgut Marathon into one of the most respected sporting events in the country while expanding its ability to support education and other worthy community causes,” he said.
The race has received backing from various corporate organisations, government institutions, healthcare providers and political leaders, including Senate Majority Leader Aaron Cheruiyot.
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By linking athletics with education fundraising, organisers hope the marathon can become a sustainable community initiative that helps vulnerable learners remain in school while promoting sports and economic activity in Belgut.
By Jeff Kirui
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