Kenyan athletes will mix with a group of United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) in Friday’s Charity Great Rift marathon to be staged in Iten’s Elgeyo Marakwet County.
The 29 Dutch runners, competing for UNICEF will be competing to raise money for Kenyan schools especially those competing in football. Already the Dutch runners have contributed Kshs 18 million, with each runner contributing appromately 5,000m sterling pounds for the event.
The unique marathon in in the tugged Home of Champions is as part of fund-raising project that will see at least 10 schools benefit from the supply of clean drinking water.
The marathon starts in the meanders of Iten-Baringo road at Kessup Centre and ending at the High Altitude Training Centre in Iten.
Under the surveillance of former world half marathon record holder Lornah Kiplagat, now a Dutch was optimistic that the race will be successful basing on the preparations they have put in place.
“This is part of our fund raising in building a healthy nation. As we raise money, Unicef can supply at least more than 10 primary schools within the “Football for Water” programme with clean drinking water and sanitary facilities,” said Kiplagat in Iten today.
Supported by Walter Hesselink, the Netherlands UNICEF, said that the project will help football in the country, which is part of the Unicef, Kenya programme.
“Selling athletics in kenya is easy while out there that is why we are supporting football through marathon. And Football for Water” is a programme in Kenya that influence. With that, Unicef is fighting for hygiene in the field of play, have water and good sanitation among school going boys and girls,” said Hesselink.