Big field for Kirdam 21km race in Baringo

Ronald Kirui (left) with Mosses Koech (center) during the Kirdam 10 KM kilometer road race in Kabarnet,Baringo county on August 25,2018.[Kipsang Joseph]

More than 1,000 athletes are expected at the third edition of Kirdam Half Marathon in Kabarnet, Baringo County, on August 19.

The race, which was started in 2018, features three categories -21km, 10km road race and 6km corporate run.

The theme of this year's contest is 'Athletics against climate change'. The Kirdam Road Race is a community based initiative that aims to raise funds to assist local residents in and around Kirandich Water Dam - Kabarnet and Baringo Central Constituency at large access clean, piped water through the purchase of water pipes, construction of water tanks and piping of the same.

The road race aims to engage participants in a competitive and healthy run from the scenic terrain of Kirandich Dam through the neighbouring hills to Kabarnet town.

Organized by Athletics Kenya (AK) - Baringo branch, the Kirdam Road Race is scheduled for August 25th 2018.

It is open to athletes and sports enthusiasts from across the Kenyan nation. The committee expect the race will add to the various athletic events in the country aimed at talent search, increased race training opportunities at various altitudes and speed-work training for Kenyan athletes.

Isaiah Cherutich, the chairman of the Local Organising Committee (LOC), said the main objective of the race is to promote environmental conservation through tree planting exercises, protection of water catchment areas, promotion of healthy living through sport, promotion of tourism as well as creating family-fun days for local residents and sports lovers.

"These among many other measures are aimed at improving human lives and protection of the environment. A tree planting exercise supervised by the Kenya Forest Service at the Kirandich Dam will take place on August 18 in efforts to play a critical role in environmental conservation and re-afforestation.

"The 21km race starts at the exit of Kipngochoch Forest area near Timboiywo Centre to the finish line at Kabarnet High School. All races start at 8am," said Cherutich.

Winners for the 21km contest take home Sh250,000 and Sh100, 000 for 10km winners. Prizes trickle down to the tenth finisher. Race sponsors include Kenya Forest Service, Water Sector Fund, National Water Harvesting and Storage Authority among others. "We remain committed to and supportive of the important role the Anti-Doping Agency of Kenya (Adak) plays in ensuring a clean sport," said Cherutich.