By Collins Wanzalla
The Western Development Initiative Association (WEDIA) is organizing a marathon to help create cancer awareness in Busia County this December. The “Busia Half Marathon” is expected to take place on December 15, 2024, according to Mr Joseph Barasa the chairman of (WEDIA) which is organizing the event in conjunction with Athletics Kenya.
According to Mr Barasa, the proceeds of the race, whose theme is ‘Run for Cancer’, will go towards creating cancer awareness in the county and also helping cancer patients pay for their treatments. He was flanked by the organization’s secretary general, Aggrey Okunyanyi. Barasa says besides the half marathon, which is expected to attract international runners, there will be 10 km, strictly for the locals, and a 3 km race for children under 15 years. The December event will be in its second edition and is expected to attract more than 3000 runners from across Kenya and the neighbouring country of Uganda. It will start in Nambale town and finish at the Busia Polytechnic.
“We have already written to various corporate bodies for sponsorship, and it is our prayer that they come on board to support this initiative so that we can save lives in terms of helping cancer patients even as we tap and nurture young talents,” said Barasa. He also disclosed that WEDIA has written to the First Lady, Mama Rachel Ruto, requesting her to grace the event as the chief guest.
He said that the First Lady is at the forefront of the fight against cancer in the country; that`s why the organizers invited her to the event. This year’s event will see the first ten participants awarded with certificates. “Winners of the Half Marathon in both men and women categories will take home Ksh. 300,000 each. Number two, both men and women, will receive Ksh. 150,000 each, while those in third position will get Ksh. 100,000 each, disclosed Barasa.
In the 10-kilometer race, according to the race organizers, the three top winners are expected to be awarded Ksh. 200 000, 100 000, and 50 000, respectively. All participants in the competition will be awarded a certificate bearing the logos of the organizers, Athletics Kenya (AK), and sponsors.
The first marathon was held in 2011, the first ever in Western Kenya. It was sponsored by the Coca-Cola Company through Equator Bottlers, Kenya Commercial Bank (KCB), Tesia supermarket, and the Youth Enterprise Development Fund (YEDF). In the 10 km, the top three will be awarded Ksh. 200k, 100k, and 50k, respectively.
Mr Barasa has appealed to all local leaders to come out and support the competition, adding that the event will put Busia County on the global map and also generate revenue during the event day.
