Mombasa Maize Millers has donated Sh584 million towards the Mombasa Mega Marathon, a landmark sporting event set to take place this weekend at the scenic Mama Ngina Drive.
The event, which will be held under the theme Stride for a Drug-Free Mombasa, will bring together runners of all levels for a 42-kilometre race, a 21-kilometre race, a 10-kilometre race and a 5-kilometre fun run and walk.
Speaking during the launch in Mombasa, Athletics Kenya (AK) Senior Vice President Paul Mutwii commended Mombasa County and the organisers for their efforts in reviving major sporting events in the coastal city.
Mutwii said the marathon would mark the return of a major road-running event to Mombasa, recalling the city’s rich sporting history, adding that the organisers had met all the requirements set by AK and Mombasa County, with the AK president granting permission for the event to be held.
“We have been given very good information that the organisation is well prepared, and we are going to hand over the certificate to Mombasa County and the organisers,” said Mutwii.
Mombasa County Deputy Governor Francis Thoya said the county was pleased to host the marathon, noting that the last major event of its kind was held at Mama Ngina Drive around 2012.
“Mombasa marathon is back, and the dream which was lost is back in Mombasa,” said Thoya.
He urged Mombasa residents to turn out in large numbers, saying the event was expected to attract visitors from across the country.
“As a county we are ready to provide security, medical support and other assistance necessary to ensure the success of the marathon,’’ said Thoya
The Deputy Governor also challenged the youth to use the event as an opportunity to showcase their talents and promote sporting activities in Mombasa.
He revealed that the county was working on plans to establish training camps for athletes, noting that Mombasa’s low-altitude environment makes it suitable for athletes seeking specialized training.
“We need to nurture the talents and go back to the known good history of sports in Mombasa, where the county used to produce good athletes,” he said.
Thoya further said the Mombasa Mega Marathon would become an annual event, noting that sports have an important role to play in promoting healthy lifestyles and community development.
Representing Mombasa Maize Millers, Ambassador Omar Said said organising the event had not been easy, but the company had worked closely with Mombasa County and AK to ensure all necessary arrangements were completed and the required regulations followed.
“We are doing it for the love of Mombasa, and we want to bring back sports in Mombasa,” said Said.
He said the main objective of the marathon was to promote a drug-free community in Mombasa and support efforts by organizations such as ReachOut and Mew in addressing the drug menace to help people affected by drug addiction.
Omar said more than 1,000 participants had already registered for the event, with the 21-kilometre race expected to start early in the morning, followed by the 10-kilometre race and the 5-kilometre run and walk.
He expressed optimism that the event would be successful and urged families to attend and enjoy the marathon.
“It will be a good event, and let all families come and enjoy the event,” said Said.
James Mwaringa, the technical official from AK, said the 42km races will start at Mama Ngina, taking a turn to the KPA route to Fortanella to Docks, going straight to the Treasury Square roundabout, back to Uhuru na Kazi Road, to Golf and back to Mama Ngina with three loops
Mwaringa added that with the 21km race, it shall use the same route as the 42km with two loops, and the 5km shall be the fun race for the families. “All the races will start and end at Mama Ngina,” said Mwaringa.
By Mary Mtawa and Whitney Alice
