Edith Chelimo and Isaac Kipkoech will be defending Lotto Foundation Baringo Half Marathon titles they won last year ahead of this year’s edition set for 18th November in Baringo County.
The new date comes in handy following the repeat elections that has affected the preparations. Initially the race had been scheduled to be run this weekend (November 4) and has been postponed in a bid to firm up preparations on the ground.
Also read http://dailysport.co.ke/2017/10/13/baringo-half-marathon/
Race coordinator Simon Chebon said they have embarked on a number of changes including the route hence the postponement.
“We consulted with our sponsors and there was need to push for two more weeks to get everything in place,” said Chebon.
He said the change of date was also necessary to allow temperatures to cool down after the current political situation.
He said apart from the change of date, there rest of the programme remains the same.
“The athletes have more time to train and deliver even better results on the day,” he added.
Chebon re-affirmed that two Ethiopian athletes have been invited for this year’s edition as part of their partnership with the Great Ethiopian Run.
He said preparations on the ground are at an advanced level and more athletes are confirming participation.
“My people on the ground are working hard to ensure everything runs are per the plan,” he added.
Fukuoka Half Marathon runner up Chelimo and Kipkoech, will be seeking back to back titles in the valley based race.
But Chelimo will have to deal with last year competitors Lucy Cheruiyot and Paskalia Chepkorir who were first and second runner up respectively.
In the men’s category, Kurui Chesang and Sammy Kurui, who placed second and third, last year will be seeking to topple Kipkoech. The organizers recently received a shot in the arm with gaming company Lotto pumping in Sh5m sponsorship from their Sh4m sponsorship last season.
Lotto Foundation chairman Brian Walucho said: “We are pleased to partner with such noble events because as a company, our ambition is to help grow sports in the country. Besides Baringo Half Marathon, we are also looking to venture into new ways of seeing sports grow and among the items we are deliberating on is rehabilitation of infrastructure because we have noticed this is an area of concern.”