Former Jiaozou half marathon champion David Kibet and his wife Sally Jepkosgei will lead a host of other top athletes at the inaugural Mwale Medical and Training City (MMTC) marathon set for Saturday morning in Butere, Kakamega County.
The event, four categories, 42km, 21km, 10km and 5km is set to start at 6:30am all the way to 1pm with the starting point at the facility, ending at the same venue.
Kibet, who is making his debut in marathon running after dominating both half and 10km said that he will be hoping for better results at the end of the race that is set to attract top marathoners across the board.
He said that he has been preparing well for the race especially now that he will be competing in his first event in the 42km.
“It has been good in terms of preparations and I have to run well come Saturday. Making a debut in a marathon is not easy but I am well prepared for the face off,” said Kibet.
He added that traveling all the way from Iten should bear the best fruits.
“I was motivated to run in this race because it is run in the village where there is natural environment and because each one of us will be yearning for the title and ambitions,” said Kibet who was accompanied by his wife Jepkosgei who will also compete in the 42km distance.
Stephen Impison will be competing in the 10km race with hopes of finishing in top position.
The man who trains in Ngong, Nairobi said that he assessed himself and found it fit to compete in the category.
“What I usually do is to give my best because that is what I can control, the rest we live it. And that is what I am actually looking for. For you to go for a race, first is to assess yourself for the capability to compete. Then look at what God has given you and you can do what God has given you,” said Impison.
He asid talent is a God-given and he gave him a chance to use it well.
“God has given us a chance to run and I have to use that talent,” he said.
Race director Patricia Nalianya said that despite the race being run on the rough road, they have taken enough measures to ensure the safety of the athletes.
“The course is very friendly to all athletes. We have worked on the roads for the athlete to feel comfortable. With the mixture between rough road and tarmac, we have done a lot of leveling on the roads to make them accessible for all,” said Nalianya.
She added that they are experiencing a few challenges because of short notice in organizing the race, especially in preparing the event and road leveling.
We were not able to bring on board many sponsors but we hope in the next event, we shall do more.
“Safety of athletes is our key because we have enough security to check on them,” she said.