Sports Cabinet Secretary Amb. Amina Mohamed and Athletics Kenya have launched the innugural edition of Uhuru Classic Nairobi City Marathon which will be held on may 8th in Nairobi.

The marathon will begin and end at Nyayo National Stadium.

“Today we are witnessing a historic occasion as we launch this historic marathon. It will be historic because for the first time we will be witnessing our elite athletes running in their own country,” Amina said.

Amina added: “I invite all of us to run on that day even if for only 1km. No one will punish you for stopping along the way. Even if you will not run, just come and cheer our athletes.”

The CS described the marathon as a perfect tribute to President Uhuru Kenyatta for his immense contribution to the sports industry and his infrastructural development legacy.

“This will be an international marathon that will be held on a legacy project of his excellency President Uhuru Kenyatta. It is a perfect tribute to his infrastructural development legacy and contribution to sports. The Nairobi City marathon will be held for the next 10 years and we hope it will continue to commemorate the tremendous milestones achieved by the president in his tenure,” she said.

Athletics Kenya president Lt. Gen (Rtd) Jackson Tuwei thanked the government for its unwavering support for the marathon.

He described the marathon as one for the history books as far as the prize money and environmental management is concerned.

“With prize money of $60,000 approximately Ksh.6 Million for winners of the full marathon, $2,500 approximately Ksh. 250,000 for half-marathon and $1,500 approximately Ksh.150,000 for 10km, this is undoubtedly the biggest road race in the continent and one with a potential of competing against the World Marathon Majors races,” Tuwei said.

By Fred Azelwa.