Nairobi — Kericho will on Saturday host the Great Highlands Marathon, the first full marathon race in the area, with the men's and women's winners each earning Sh200,000 in prize money.

The race is organised by GoTo Sports Marketing, former athletes from the area, Kericho Municipal Council as well as Athletics Kenya's South Rift branch.

Runners-up in the full marathon will bag Sh100,000 with Sh50,000 set for the third-place finisher.

GoTo Sports Director, David Ruto , said the race is aimed at promoting sports tourism as well as championing environmental conservation of the Great Highlands.

Promote conservation

"We are promoting this marathon all across Kenya and we are looking at having participants from as many parts of the country as possible to join us in this important race within the South Rift and also support us in our mission to promote the conservation of the Great Highlands region," said Ruto.

Besides the 42km race, there will be a 10km race for amateur and elite runners as well as a 5km fun run, which is also a Corporate Race.

Winners in the 10km race will take home Sh20,000, the runner-up Sh15,000. The third place prize is worth Sh10,000. Registration is going on at the Kericho District Sports Office and at the Moi Gardens on the race day.

Kericho Mayor John Kauria said the meet was "timely" and is set to have a great impact on the area.

"We call upon other corporate bodies and supporters to come on board and help the organisers make this event a beautiful and rewarding race," said Kauria.