Chris Musumba
3 September 2008
Nairobi — Top international athletes are expected to compete at the sixth edition of the Safaricom Gusii Golden Series starting with Thursday's Mpesa Kisii 10-kilometre Road Race.
It will be a trial run to identify middle and long distance running talent in Kisii District as the local athletics officials seek to spot new talent ahead of the start of the road and marathon season in November.
Mobile Service provider, Safaricom on Wednesday announced a lucrative Sh2 million sponsorship towards the three races that are competed in Kisii on Thursday, Gucha (October 3) and finally Kebirigo (Novermber 7).
The meetings which are part of the Athletics Kenya calendar are a hit to the locals and organisers are planning to have 500 athletes in each event.
It is the first in a series organised by the newly formed Kebirigo Runners Club and will start at Nyabara-Ebere to finish just outside Kebirigo market, organisers confirmed on Wednesday.
Athletics Kenya's secretary-general, David Okeyo, gave the meet organisers the go-ahead saying the races were in order as they did not clash with AK's calendar.
AK public relations officer, Francis Nyatome appealed to athletes from Nyamira and the neighbouring Kisii and Gucha districts to take advantage and turn up for the meet.
"The larger Kisii has been known to produce top athletes but lack of competitions has affected the development of the sport in the area. Athletes should take advantage of the Kebirigo Road Race to gauge their potential," Nyatome said on Wednesday.
Athletes are required to report at the Nyabara-Ebere starting point before 7 am to register for the races which starts at 8 am.
Two categories
The association's Nyanza branch secretary, Peter Oenga said the race would involve two main categories namely the main 10-kilometre race for men and women and a three-kilometre race for juniors.
"Some of the leading athletes from the area are expected to compete," Oenga said. The area has produced top athletes including Tom Nyariki (5,000 metres) and Fred Onyancha (800m).
"They include Mexico-based Lazarus Nyakeraka, Holland-based Philip Mosima and US-based Gladys Asiba. We also expect Hezron Mokamba Norah Nyabicha, Martin Ojukwu Gekara, Jackline Okemwa, George Nchoro, George Gitaa and Evans Mayoyo."
Other athletes expected are Salim Said, Sarah Kebaso, Stanley Kegora, Daniel Manyara, Jared Onyancha, Cliff Reki, Ondieki Manyara, Joash Manyara, William Morwabe, Arabu Onchwari, Nachio Nyachienga, Daniel Gichuki, Grandius Otero, Daniel Gekara, Henry Keonga, John Osugo, Joseph Osugo, Mashy Ateka, Ephraim Mwatha, John Mithi and Ruth Kometa.
Open race
Netherlands-based manager, Pieter Langerhorst is helping to organise the road race and will give prizes to the winners on Saturday.
Athletics Kenya's Nyanza branch chairman, Peter Angwenyi has pledged Sh2,000 to the winners of the men's and women's races.
Rirumi and Biticha secondary schools - which are among Nyamira's leading nurseries of athletics talent -are also expected to field teams at the Kebirigo race along with Marani's Nyota Club.
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