Two-time Tinderet Barng’etuny Mountain Run bronze medalist Richard Atuya is aiming at another podium finish in the 5th edition of the annual event scheduled for Saturday in Nandi County on Saturday.
Speaking after picking his running number on Friday morning, Atuya said he has trained adequately for the race and is ready for the challenge.
The World Mountain and Trail Running Championships silver medalist said he expects stiff competition.
“My target is another podium finish, having finished third in the last two editions. If I win a silver or gold, it will be an added advantage. I just want to improve,” added the Nyamira-based athlete.
“It is very hot here. I expect a good race on Saturday. I have checked the course, it’s challenging but beautiful,” said Machoka.
The race will be held at the scenic Lion Hill Farm.
He will, however, face stiff competition from World champion Philemon Kiriago, two-time World champion Philemon Kiriago, and world bronze medalist Paul Machoka.
Athletics Kenya mountain running chairman Peter Angwenyi said all arrangements have been finalised.
“All preparations have been completed. The main 21 km race will start at 8 am and the junior race at 10 am,” said Angwenyi.
He said more than 1, 000 athletes had registered by Thursday. About 3, 000 are expected.
Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi will be the chief guest.
Also expected is Sports Cabinet Secretary Salim Mvurya alongside Sports and Culture counterpart Cheptumo and Athletics Kenya President Jack Tuwei, among others, according to Angwenyi.
Winners in the 21 km race will take home Sh500, 000 and a heifer, while second-placed athletes will get Sh200, 000 and a goat.
The third-placed athletes will get Sh100, 000 and a doper.
The top 50 athletes will be awarded. The race is part of the Magical Kenya Mountain and Trails Series.
In the 4 km junior race, winners will get Sh100, 000 first runners up Sh80, 000 and third-placed athletes Sh70, 000.
There will be a 2 km race for kids aged between and and 14 years for boys and girls.
Kids aged between five and seven will also participate in the 500m, noted Angwenyi.
Angwenyi said they are using the race as part of preparations for the 2027 World Mountain and Trail Running championships to be held at the iconic Table Mountains in Cape Town, South Africa.
Tinderet MP Julius Melly, the patron of the race, praised the organisers and partners for making the Magical Kenya Trail Series, Taptengelei Festival, and Barngetuny Mountain Run a mainstay in the region.
“These events have firmly established Tinderet and the wider Nandi region as key tourism and sporting destinations. This region is the home of champions producing world beaters, and our goal is to tap into this to grow tourism and provide economic empowerment to communities in this region,” said Melly, who is the National Assembly’s Education Committee chairman.
He added: “I urge residents to take advantage of this opportunity by providing food, transport, and other services that visitors will require during the three-day event and in future editions. The benefits of tourism grow when communities fully participate.”
by ANGWENYI GICHANA
