Kaduna Marathon: Gold label Jerotich heads elite field

KENYAN Sheila Jerotich – a World Athletics gold label marathoner heads a strong field of foreign and local elite runners that will be at the inaugural edition of the Kaduna Marathon. The event is slated for November 21.

Bukola Olopade Managing Director of Nilayo Sports Management Limited and consultant to the Kaduna Marathon told newsmen on Tuesday that the Governor of Kaduna State Mallam Nasir El-Rufai aims to use the race to encourage peaceful co-existence, boost the economy of the state, empower and engage the youth and also encourage healthy life. The event is also billed to bring tourists from different parts of the world.

Olopade said, “Running with elite runners is a thing of joy for fun runners; it’s just like an amateur footballer playing alongside Mikel Obi. So we are bringing a strong field of elite runners to Kaduna in order to attract local and international audience and ultimately Kaduna Marathon will become a label race soon.”

Apart from Jerotich who has won many races including the highly-rated Kosice Marathon, the strong field of label elite runners include John Muriuri Mburu a Kenyan 1.02.08 in half marathon, Rotich Mitei John from Kenya with 1.03:04.

There are also Azerbaijan Desta Fitsun Weldu, Ethiopian Gebremedhin Silasssie Gebremedhin, Ugandan Immaculate Chemmutai and Lensa Daba Kabtimer from Ethiopia.

Olopade also revealed that Zimbabwean Fortunate Chidvizo, Kenyan Nancy Jesang, Ethiopian Mawcha Adane Nega, Ghanaian duo of William Amponsah and Ismael Arthur, Kenyan trio Gladys Jepkemoi  Chemweno, Careen Cheptoeck and Shila Jepkosgei Chesang are all in the mix.

The consultant said they are still negotiating with more elite runners and once negotiation is concluded their names would be announced.