STELLAR CAST: Mutai, Korir to lead athletes at Chemususu Dam Half Marathon

Geoffrey Mutai wins the 2011 Boston Marathon Geoffrey Mutai of Kenya crosses the finish line of the 115th Boston Marathon in Boston Monday, April 18, 2011. (AP Photo/Elise Amendola)

The 2012 Boston Marathon champion Wesley Korir and the 2011 Boston winner Geoffrey Mutai lead a pack of more than 200 athletes who have confirmed participation in the inaugural Chemususu Dam Half Marathon to be held in Eldama Ravine on Saturday.

The 1992 Barcelona Olympics 3000 metres champion Mathews Birir is also eyeing the jackpot prize of Sh100,000 alongside emerging talented young runners in a road race that has been divided into five categories.

They include 21km and 10km in the senior categories of men and women's races, the Under-14 year's 5km, the 5km Adults' race and the students, who will cover seven kilometres.

Winners of the 21km will each pocket Sh100,000 and the 10km winners take home Sh60,000 each both in the men and women categories.

Others are 5km for children Sh14,000, 5km for Elders Sh7,000 while winners of the 5km Corporate race will only be awarded with trophies, according to the event's coordinator Robert Cheruiyot. The first 10 finishers in each race will also be awarded with cash prizes.

However, he said only the first seven finishers in the Elders' 5km road race would be awarded with cash prizes.

"We expect a tough competition from elite runners who will face stiff opposition from upcoming talented players," said Cheruiyot.

Eldama Ravine Member of Parliament Moses Lessonet has confirmed taking part in the 21km race.

So far the race has attracted a total sponsorship of Sh5 million from different corporate sponsors with The Standard Media Group being the media sponsors to the tune of Sh1.9million.

Others are Kenya Power Sh1million, Chase bank Sh1million, Co-operative Bank Sh100,000, Ravine Roses Sh500,000, East African Portland Cement Sh500,000, Fraba Construction Company Sh500,000,
Kenya Tourism Board Sh250,000, Rural Electrification Authority Sh250,000 while Safaricom has donated material worth Sh250,000.

Cheruiyot said either Deputy President William Ruto or Cherangani Member of Parliament Wesley Korir will flag off the race.

Cheruiyot said preparations have reached fever pitch. He said they have mapped out all the routes and appealed to more runners to register for the race.