Running ace Mung’ara to refurbish Rironi Grounds

Mombasa International Marathon champion Kenneth Mung’ara has embarked on refurbishing Rironi Primary School Grounds in a bid to improve the standard of athletics in his home area of Limuru, Kiambu County.

Mung’ara – who also won Nairobi International Stanchart Marathon in 2013 – has been able to raise Ksh2m in the two years he has hosted Limuru Half Marathon to support sports activities and nurture talent as a livelihood

“My intention is to have a field which can host every kind of sports and that can also nurture talent,” he told Citizen Digital.

He warned that training on rocky roads will only kill the careers of upcoming athletes as it is likely to cause health problems.

His sentiments were echoed by Titus Kuria who chairs Limuru Half Marathon’s organizing committee, saying that the two editions of Limuru Half Marathon (2014 and 2015) have produced potential stars that need to be nurtured.

“We believe by the time Mung’ara retires he will have nurture so many athletes,” Kuria offered.

This year the proceeds of the event will go towards refurbishing the Rironi Primary School grounds to have a standard training track and a football pitch.

The total cost of the project is estimated to be Ksh4.5m and, being near to a highway along which many estates have been sprouting, is expected to benefit a lot of people.

“In the next four to five months the ground will be complete as we continue preparations of hosting a third edition later this year. We planning to have turf on the athletic track that will help athletes during their training,” Kuria added.

Limuru half marathon first took place in May 2014, was moved to June the following year due to weather challenges in the area and will be held in September this year.

Last year, the event had a staggering 3000 participants with organizers expecting to almost double the figure this year. The event awards top ten athletes in every category with last year’s winner in 21 kilometers walking away with Ksh50000 in prize money.