Sports Cabinet Secretary Amina Mohamed, in a company of Athletics Kenya officials today launched the Nairobi City marathon, the highest paying marathon in Africa.
The race, dubbed Uhuru Classic set to be held on May 8th at the newly constructed Nairobi Expressway has been categories into four levels: marathon, half marathon, 10km and 5km where the winners will pocket US$ 6,000 dollars (Ksh6 million) for the winner of the 42km race with the top 20 earning cash prizes.
In the half marathon (21km), the winner will bag US$ 2,500 dollars (Ksh2.5 million), where the top six will win prize money.
Speaking during the launch of the marathon, Athletics Kenya (AK) Chief (Lt General retired) Jackson Tuwei said the event will be used to officially launch the Nairobi Express Highway and mark president Uhuru Kenyatta’s legacy of the road.
He said they are expecting athletes from 120 countries to turn up.
Three categories will be up for grabs including the full marathon (42km), half marathon (21km) and the 10km race and a fun run for recreation.
The marathon will begin at Nyayo stadium, head to Jomo Kenyatta International Airport then move to the City Centre which will be the spectators’ stage before heading to ABC Place in Westlands then back to Nyayo stadium for the finish.
The 21 km race will start at Nyayo Stadium then to Ole Sereni along Mombasa Road then move to ABC Place along Waiyaki Way before going back to the finish at Nyayo stadium.
The marathon will see runners compete 33km of the Express Highway and 9 outside while the half marathon will entirely be run on the express highway.
The 10km will start at the Nyayo National Stadium then head up to Capital Center along Mombasa Road, move to Museum Hill before heading back to the finish at Nyayo stadium.
Tuwei said the route has been certified by World Athletics (WA) and if a world or continental record is broken in any of the races it will be recognized.