Joshua Kituku will be out to defend his Betika Uasin Gishu Half Marathon title come Sunday August 10 on the streets of Eldoret.
Kithuku, who won the men’s title will be among the more than 800 athletes are poised to battle for a second edition of the race and share of over Sh 1.5 million where winners, both men and women, will bag Ksh 300,000 each.
Second placed will earn Ksh 200,000 while third place finishers will go home Sh 100,000 richer while fourth, fifth, and sixth place finishers will get Sh 50,000, Sh 40,000 and sh 30,000 in that order.
Also, participants who finish seventh through to tenth in both categories will be awarded Sh 20,000 each.
Sharon Kiptugen, who finished fifth last year after stopping the timer at 1:11:01, will lead the women’s field in the absence of Naomi Chebet who was crowned the champion after posting 1:10:00.
Apart from the main race category, there will also be a Master category for athletes aged 50 years and above for both men and women.
Winners in this category will each receive Sh 30,000 as second and third placed get Sh 20,000 and Sh 10,000 respectively.
Last year, Kithuku emerged victorious in the men’s category ahead of Daniel Simiu Ebenyo and Abraham Kiptum who finished second and third respectively.
Kiptum will be hoping to dethrone Kithuku on Sunday.
Speaking ahead of the Sunday showdown, Betika Head of Brand Eric Mwiti said: “We are happy to be back to Eldoret for this year’s edition of the Betika Uasin Gishu Half Marathon. We look forward to stiff competition on Sunday and wish all the athletes the best of luck as they prepare to give their best. We remain committed to promoting athletics in the country, and this is one of the ways we do it.”