Patrick Makau hails Standard Group for supporting Lukenya One Million Trees Marathon

Lukenya University Deputy VC Mutheu Kasanga (left) with Standard Group Managing Director Broadcast Joe Munene during the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU). [Jonah Onyango, Standard]

Lukenya University One Million Trees Marathon organisers on Tuesday signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Standard Group PLC to be the official media partners of the iconic event.

The deal will see the leading media outlet beam the marathon, to be held in Mtito Andei, Makueni County live on its various platforms including television, digital, radio and the newspapers.

A day before the event, Standard Group will present its evening news live at the university premises where Lukenya University students and the locals will have a chance to showcase their rich cultural talents from their various communities.

"We are happy to rope in the Standard Group in this noble initiative. Their coming on board will educate Kenyans more about the Kibwezi East Constituency and the entire Makueni County," race Ambassador Patrick Makau who led his side in the MOU signing stated.

"Bringing the media onboard will help to create awareness about the sustainable actions on climate change that the marathon is advocating for."

The former men's World half Marathon champion said that preparations for the marathon are complete with athletes expected to arrive via train at the historic Mtito Andei station on Friday.

Standard Group Managing Director Broadcast Joe Munene (left). The Group will beam the marathon live on its various platforms. [Jonah Onyango, Standard]

"There will be buses awaiting them at the train station, the athletes will be ferried to the Lukenya University main campus where they will be accommodated.

"The main Campus will also be the starting and ending points of all the race categories. We have also mapped the route well, we can say it is in accordance with the World Athletics standards," Makau underlined.

The former World marathon record holder (Berlin) will be among the legends who will grace the race including Tegla Loroupe, Catherine Ndereba and Cosmas Ndeti.

"As athletics legends, our role will be to help mentor the athletes, we want trust to be established between the retired athletes and upcoming athletes. We will be there to motivate the young runners at the Lukenya showpiece," he stated.