The Governor of Meru County H.E. Kiraitu Murungi has said his administration will continue to support and promote Mt. Kenya Running Championships to be a premier world sporting event that will put the County on top of the world as sporting destination. Governor Kiraitu, speaking earlier today at the Kenya School of Adventure and Leadership (KESAL), Marania in Kisima Ward, Buuri Constituency during the second edition of the athletic event which is one of its kind in Kenya and Africa, said the run will also promote Meru as a top tourism destination, specially by leveraging on the high potential of Mt. Kenya resource whose 40% falls in Meru but remains largely unutilized.

This year’s run was graced by Athletics Kenya (AK) President Lt. Gen. (Rtd) Jackson Kiprono Tuwei and attracted participants from Kenya, South Africa, Europe and China. The Governor said his government is committed to ensure more participation from across the globe in future editions.

He noted that the proceeds from the event will be used to fight cancer prevalence in Meru which remains the second highest in the country, through financing ongoing establishment of the Meru Cancer Center, funding the Meru Hospice that provides palliative care to cancer patients; promoting environmental conservation and tourism, through the ongoing establishment of 80 square kilometer Rhino and Bongo Sanctuary. The process for repatriation of Bongos from Florida State in the United States to the Sanctuary at Mucheene and Marania Forest is well underway.

Speaking at the function, Deputy Governor H.E. Titus Ntuchiu said apart from providing enjoyment entertainment, Mt. Kenya Run is a big boost to the economy of Meru because of the high capital influx and visitors into the County during the run. He added the event will also expose the County tourists and potential investors, as well as promote growth of businesses.

Both the DG and Governor Kiraitu thanked AK Kenya under its President Lt. Gen. (Rtd) Tuwei for working closely to ensure the run is officially registered into AK annual Calendar of events and also its successful entry into International Mountain Running Championships. The run did not take place last year after it began in 2020, due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

On his part, General (Rt) Tuwei praised Governor Kiraitu and his administration for seamlessly organizing the event with great success despite the heavy logistics and complexities involved. He called on the County to maintain course and ensure sustainability as well as its growth to be one of the biggest athletics events in the world.

The run was organized by the Meru Sports Council led by Mr. Joseph Kinyua and Madam Felicity Nkirote Biriri who is also the outgoing Chair of Meru County Investment and Development Corporation (MCIDC), where he recently resigned to run for the position of Meru County Women MP.

The winners of this year’s edition in various categories and the awards in Kenya Shillings (Ksh) were as follows:

13Km Elite Winners

Male:
1. Patrick Kipng’eno -500,000/=
2. Charles Ketur-200,000/=
3. Fredrick Demangole-75,000/=

Female
1. Sheila Jebiwot-500,000/=
2. Joyce Njeru-200,000/= (World Champion)
3. Jessica Chalagat-75,000/=

8KM Elite Junior Category

Male
1. David Mwangi-20,000/=
2. Alfred Cheruiyot-10,000/=
3. William Kimosip-5,000/=

Female
1. Evelyn Syombua-20,000/=
2. Penina Mukonene-10,000/=
3. Maureen Kathure -5,000/=

In the Corporate category, Mt. Kenya University won the Women’s race in the 13KM elite run, while Meru Dairy Cooperative Union (‘Meru Central’), Mt. Kenya University and Lolmarik Flower Farm from Timau, took home trophies for positions 3, 2 and 1 respectively.
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