Kiambu to host the annual Sotokoto race

The annual Sotokoto has been shifted from Nairobi to Kiambu County and will take place at the Kenya Agricultural Livestock and Research Organization (KALRO) on July 1.

According to race director Douglas Wakiihuri, the changes were necessitated by Nairobi’s congestion and pollution, and the need to give the runners a “green environment which is healthy for athletes”.

“Muguga has a natural environment with a scenery of nature and agriculture which the athletes will traverse in the route,” he said.

Among other changes effected this year is that there will be no 21-km race but 10kms and 5kms.

The prizes will be in kind and not monetary and the winners will be feted with electrical appliances which include TV sets, fridges and mobile phones.

According to Wakihuuri, these changes have been driven by financial challenges as they only have a budget of Sh 2.8 compared to a projected  sum of Sh 6 million.

“We are hoping that next year we shall be having sponsors on board and we shall revert to the 21km race and pay cash prizes,”she said.

The race organisers are targeting a total of 1,000 runners who will be competing on various categories which includes elite, junior, paralympics, masters (veterans) and fun run.  Mitsubishi, Rohto Mentholatum and Coca Cola East Africa, are some of the events sponsors.

Legendary Paralympian Henry Wanyoike who also graced the event said there will be random doping test conducted among the runners and all athletes. The move is geared as promoting the fight against the vice.

“All athletics must prepare to do doping tests to eliminate suspicion of any Kenyan athlete winning unfairly,” Henry Wanyoike, the Athletics Kenya representative said.

The registration which began on Tuesday and closes on June 30 is pegged at Sh 1,000 for senior runners and Sh 500 for juniors.

Report by Erick Nyasani