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GDC launches inaugural Geothermal Menengai Half Marathon, Nov 11, 2012

GDC launches inaugural Geothermal Menengai Half Marathon, Nov 11, 2012 Kenya's Abel Kirui and Wilson Kipsang at the London Olympics 2012 (source: flickr/ Sue Kellerman, creative commons)
Alexander Richter 6 Sep 2012

Kenya's Geothermal Development Company launches the inaugural Geothermal Menengai Half Marathon to take place November 11, 2012.

Being a runner myself this sounds like a great opportunity to combine work, sightseeing and some work out all in the beautiful scenery of geothermal country in Kenya. Following the Olympic half-marathon were the two Kenyan runners Abel Kirui and Wilson Kipsang were beaten by Stephen Kiprotich of Uganda (who coincidentally has trained in Kenya for London), Kenyans are eager to find back to former glory. In the light of this and to support the Kenyan running ambitions for the Olympic games in 2016 in Rio de Janeiro, the Geothermal Development Company (GDC) has launched the inaugural Geothermal Menengai Half-Marathon.

The marathon is scheduled to take place on Sunday November 11, 2012 in Nakuru County and is expected to attract over 5,000 participants in 4 different categories.

With Rift Valley being undoubtedly the home of athletes in the country, the addition of Geothermal Menengai Half-Marathon on the calendar of Athletics Kenya is expected to give chance to more upcoming athletes to showcase their prowess as they look forward to breaking into the international scene.

Dr. Peter Omenda, the GDC General Manager who represented the MD/CEO, Dr. Silas Simiyu at the launch held in a Nakuru hotel, said that GDC wants to give budding athletes an opportunity to discover their prowess and power the dreams of veterans too, within Nakuru-county and beyond.

“Since GDC works a lot in the Rift Valley, home of world renowned athletes, we have decided to associate geothermal with athletics. Just like athletics, geothermal will propel Kenya into the international limelight. We are looking forward to make this an annual event so that great world beaters can be born out of this region yearly.” Said Dr Omenda

Athletics Kenya vice chairman Lt. Gen. (RTD) Jackson Tuwei reiterated the need to ensure that talent is nurtured since if not given an opportunity to grow, talent gets wasted.

“This is a noble cause to develop talent in this region and as Athletics Kenya we are going to give GDC full support in organizing this event for we know the fruits that will come it” he said.

The Half Marathon race will start at Maji-Matamu Academy in Bahati and finish at St. Joseph Kirima Secondary School in the same locality totalling 21KM. Besides the 21KM race, there will be competition for 10km and a fun run for 5 kilometres.

The one loop course with scenic mountainous background promises to be exciting to both participants and spectators.”

Now the only thing we need is a geothermal event of international nature around those days so we can combine the run with business.

Source: MichezoAfrika