25 October 2009
editorial
Nairobi — At a time when training and keeping fit is in vogue, the annual Standard Chartered Nairobi International Marathon finds its place in many fitness enthusiasts' calendars.
It does not require one to run fast or be at par with Olympic marathon champion Samuel Wanjiru to enter the Nairobi marathon. Neither does one need the inspiration of the Sh1.5 million prize money on offer to place one's body in the line of the extreme challenge.
The mere idea of being part of a healthy society and contributing to charity is enough drive to compete in Kenya's biggest race.
Now in its seventh year, the Nairobi Marathon has played a great role in helping sight restoration to Kenya's underprivileged communities with title sponsors, the Standard Chartered Bank, backing over 1,500 cataract operations at the Kikuyu Eye Hospital.
The sponsors were aiming to raise over Sh18 million from Sunday's race to boost their "Seeing is Believing" initiative and support more such operations.
Moses Kigen's course record and Irene Jelagat's triumph in the blue-rib and 42-kilometre races on Sunday may have been the highlight of the race, but the mass participation of 13,500 runners, all seeking to be heroes in someone's eyes was quite encouraging.