The 25th edition of the Mombasa International Marathon, which had earlier been scheduled for this Sunday, has been pushed forward to May 25.

Athletics Kenya Coast branch secretary, Felix Ngala, said most athletes will this weekend be taking part in the New KCC Athletics Tour track and field meeting in Kakamega.

"Many athletes who wanted to take part in both the weekend meeting and the marathon requested us to postpone it. We want as many athletes as possible to take part in the marathon and that's why we decided to push it forward," Ngala said.

The marathon will start outside the Town Hall on May 25 at 7 am. There will be several race categories including five kilometre corporate race, 10km elite race and the main 42-kilometre full marathon for both men and women.

There will also be a fun run covering 2.5km of which children will also be allowed to take part. Ngala said those interested in taking part in the marathon will be required to pay participation of Sh500 each, Sh3,000 for the corporate race and Sh200 each for the fun race.

The winner in the main 42km race will receive a cash prize of Sh50,000, while the 10km race winners will pocket Sh10,000. Participants in the corporate and fun races will be awarded with certificates.

Those residing in Coast Province should register at the Mombasa Municipal Stadium, while registration for interested participants from up-country will be done at Athletics Kenya's Riadha House headquarters.

Some of the institutions invited to send participants in the marathon include AK affiliate clubs, Police, Prisons, Administration Police, Armed Forces, universities and state corporations.