Preparations in top gear ahead of World Aids Day Half Marathon

From left: Athletics Kenya official in charge of route George Kariuki, National Syndemic Diseases Control Council (NSDCC) CEO Ruth Masha, AK Nairobi branch chairman Barnaba Korir and NSDCC chairperson Geoffrey Gitu during the launch of World Aids Day 2024 Half Marathon at Riadha House. [Jonah Onyango, Standard]

Over 1000 athletes are expected to take part in the inaugural World Aids Day 2024 Half Marathon set for Nyayo National Stadium in Nairobi on Sunday.

Other categories to be contested on the day include the 10km Road Race and the Wheelchair showdown, 5km Family Fun Run and the Corporate Challenge and the 2km CEO's Race and the Children's Race.

The 21km winners, both men and women, will each head home Sh250,000 richer while Sh200,000 and Sh100,000 are reserved for runners up and third place finishers.

The category will be rewarded upto the tenth place finisher.

In the same breath, the 10km wheelchair race will see the winner bag Sh100,000 in both men and women categories as second and third place finishers get Sh70,000 and Sh40,000 apiece. The prizing is also in the same format for the able-bodied athletes contesting the 10km battle.

"All the races will start at Uhuru Highway and will end inside the Nyayo stadium," Route Director George Kariuki told Standard Sports during the launch held in Nairobi yesterday.

"The 21km Half Marathon, which is the main race, will weave its way from Uhuru Highway at the Toyota Kenya junction to Westlands, then snake its way back to Museum Hill, the Central Business District, then go to Upper Hill before a descent to Industrial Area before ending inside the Nyayo National Stadium.

"We have completed all the route measurements for the races, they are in perfect shape," Kariuki reiterated.

The Athletics Kenya (AK) Nairobi Region chairman Barnaba Korir has encouraged athletes across the country to register for the event, organised by the National Syndemic Diseases Control Council (NSDCC) and the AK, urging participants to win the lucrative prizes that are on offer.

"We are glad that for the first time athletics will be used to pass information about the HIV and the Aids scourge in Kenya during the global pandemic awareness on Sunday," Korir said.

The NSDCC chairman Geoffrey Gitu noted that the aim of the marathon is to amplify the impact of their initiative and highlight the collaborative efforts aimed at achieving zero HIV infections and building stronger communities.

While explaining the occasion theme: The health and wellness of men and boys, the NSDCC Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Ruth Laibon said that it is a race against time to end the scourge by the year 2030.

"This year's theme is so unique in that men and boys have been put on the spot because seven out of ten deaths related to HIV and Aids are men, and in most cases these are bread winners so their families suffer upon their demise.

"It has also been noted that fewer men do self-testing, men are also the majority involved in criminal activities, drug injections and sexual violations compared to women. Adolescent fathers also suffer the wrath of the communities compared to the girls who give birth," Laibon said.

The marathon proceeds will be used to rehabilitate drug users across the country, especially those who are involved with direct injection practices.

"As AK, we are committed to support this cause, so we encourage coaches and athletes to seize the opportunity and take part in this Half Marathon," AK CEO Susan Kamau stated.