- More than 2,000 athletes participate as the annual race raises funds for vulnerable learners.
- Proceeds will supplement the Belgut Starehe Schools bursary kitty to keep needy students in school.
- The event combines athletics, education support and talent development while rewarding top-performing runners.
A sporting event in Belgut, Kericho County, is emerging as an important avenue for supporting needy learners, with organisers using proceeds from the annual half marathon to help orphans and students from vulnerable families remain in school.
The third edition of the Belgut Half Marathon, held at Kabianga School on Sunday, attracted more than 2,000 athletes and raised funds to supplement the Belgut Starehe Schools bursary kitty.
the brainchild of the event, said the initiative was designed to ensure that lack of school fees does not force children out of school.
“Our main goal is to ensure that no child drops out of school because of lack of school fees. The funds raised through this event will change the lives of the girls and when you change the life of a girl, you change her family and, ultimately, society,” Koech said.
He said the programme would particularly benefit vulnerable learners, including orphans and students from disadvantaged families, by helping them meet their education needs.
Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen, who was the chief guest, praised Koech for linking sport with education and community development.
Murkomen said initiatives that invest in education have the potential to transform communities by giving children an opportunity to complete their studies and improve their future prospects.
He also urged leaders and other stakeholders to use sporting events to identify and nurture talent while supporting young people in education.
Race supports education
Koech said the proceeds from the race would go towards supporting needy students, with the event established to supplement the constituency bursary kitty and help ensure vulnerable learners remain in school.
The race featured the 21km Half Marathon, 10km race and 5km fun race, with a total prize purse of Sh3.43 million. The 21km winners received Sh500,000 each, while the 10km champions pocketed Sh100,000 each and the 5km winners Sh50,000 each.
On the sporting front, Kiprono Kimutai and Jackline Chepngeno won the men’s and women’s 21km races respectively.
Kimutai, a marathon specialist born in 2004, clocked 1:00:46 to win the men’s race ahead of Wisley Kipkemoi, who finished in 1:01:20, and Alex Matata in 1:01:29.
Chepngeno won the women’s race in 1:08:00, followed by Janet Nyiva in 1:08:17 and Zenah Jemutai in 1:09:07.
Elisha Kiprop Cheboron won the men’s 10km in 28:05, while Stacy Chepngeno took the women’s title in 32:16.
The organisers also awarded special prizes to outstanding athletes from Belgut constituency as part of efforts to nurture local talent.
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The initiative therefore combines two key goals — promoting athletics and using sport to mobilise support for education — with organisers hoping to make the race an annual source of assistance for needy learners.
By Jeff Kirui
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