Runners paint First Lady Half Marathon Purple
Thousands of participants turned up early at the Nyayo National Stadium on Sunday morning for the second edition of the First Lady Half Marathon.
The event is a brainchild of First Lady Margaret Kenyatta under the auspices of the Beyond Zero campaign which aims at improving maternal healthcare across the country.
A majority of the runners arrived at the venue by 5:30am and in three hours had transformed the surrounding streets and roads into a sea of color and activity with their swirling purple shirts.
Among the participants, were top political figures including Deputy President William Ruto, his wife Rachael, Sports Cabinet Secretary Hassan Wario, Cabinet Secretary for Devolution and Planning Anne Waiguru and her lands counterpart Judy Wakungu, Senators and Members of Parliament.
FINISH LINE
“I think the race was more difficult this year because we started by going uphill and at six kilometers I almost gave up. It is however very impressive to know that mothers will have safer deliveries because of a simple fusion between sports and health,” Wario said.
It was interesting to see the politicians, most of whom did the ten kilometer race, swap their regular three piece suits for jump suits, tights and sweat pants.
It was even more refreshing to see them struggle and giving their best as they crossed the finish line.
The highlight of the day was the scene of the First Lady being warmly embraced by her husband President Uhuru Kenyatta at the finish line upon successfully completing the 21km race and recording a new personal best time of 1:38: 02.
Seventy five year old Nahashion Kamau and renowned veteran athlete Stephen Njoroge, 65, also charmed journalists with their toothless smiles when they emerged at the finish line way ahead of many other runners who are twice as young.