A new route, additional sponsorship and a wide open challenge for the Gusii Golden Series all count towards making today’s Eighth Safaricom Kebirigo 10km Road Race a cliff-hanger.

Add this to the fact that a leading European manager will be on hand to snap up fledgling talent, the race will provide the much-needed fireworks to make the meet a success.

Safaricom Limited’s Chief commercial officer, Peter Arina, and Nyamira District Commissioner Esther Lokwei will flag off the annual race at Egesieri Primary School at 8am. The athletes will run through Nyamira Town onto the Konate Junction and up a steep hill to the traditional finish at Kebirigo Market.

The new Nyamira-Kebirigo course is tailored along the same lines as the famous Dutch 10-mile race, the Dam Tot Dam Loop, which joins Amsterdam and Zandaam.

Dutch agent to tap talent

A top Dutch agent, Gerard van de veen, arrived in Kebirigo yesterday to tap talent from the race. He will take up the top male and female athletes, who have no previous experience abroad, and give them exposure.

Organisers have also welcomed on board two new partners – the Coca-Cola Company and Emergency Plus Medical Services, the official water and medical services providers, respectively.

Coca-Cola’s communications and public affairs manager, Stella Kiguta-Ng’ang’a, yesterday said Coke will give 2,000 bottles of Dasani mineral water to the Kebirigo race.

“Kebirigo race is in line with our philosophy of creating value to our customers and helping young talent grow,” Kiguta-Ng’ang’a said.
“The donation of water is part of the Coca-Cola Company’s promotion of active, healthy lifestyles.”

Coke and Eplus join title sponsors Safaricom, who this year gave Sh2 million for Safaricom 10km Gusii Golden Series.