Philip Kigen and Mercy Kwambai emerged as the new champions of the 24th Edition of the Lewa Safari Marathon, held at the picturesque Lewa Conservancy in Isiolo County.
Kigen clocked an impressive time of 2:19:06 to secure victory in the men’s 42km race, with John Mitei (02:21:23) and Isaak Koech (02:22:37) finishing in second and third place respectively.
Delighted by his win, Kigen expressed his elation, highlighting how this victory has motivated him for future races. He acknowledged the challenges posed by the demanding course, including the competition from former defending champion Peter Wahome, as well as the hilly terrain and a few encounters with snakes.
However, Kigen overcame these obstacles to claim a well-deserved victory. He dedicated his win to his supportive wife and two children.
In the women’s 42-kilometre category, Mercy Kwambai celebrated her triumph and pledged to continue improving in future races. Reflecting on the tough race, Kwambai emphasized the difficulty of the hilly course but expressed her joy at persevering and emerging as the winner.
She credited her determination and motivation to her young daughter, who inspires her to strive for greatness.
In the 21-kilometre race, Nelson Rono crossed the finish line first with an impressive time of 01:05:32, followed by Justin Julius (01:06:28) in second place, and (01:06:57) in third place.
Beatrice Cheburet claimed victory in the women’s category, completing the race in 01:16:15. Lucy Karimi and Mary Munanu secured second and third place, respectively.
Notably, Safaricom’s Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Peter Ndegwa, participated in the 21km race and commended the winners. Ndegwa expressed his satisfaction with the event and the favourable weather conditions.
He highlighted Safaricom’s ongoing partnership with the Lewa Safari Marathon, which will celebrate its 25th anniversary next year. Over the past 24 years, nearly nine million dollars have been raised to support conservation efforts and the local community.
John Kinoti, Chief Operations and Planning Officer at the Lewa Conservancy, expressed his gratitude to the participants and sponsors. He expressed delight in the successful turnout, with Governor Kawira Mwangaza flagging off the event and a significant number of runners and spectators in attendance.
Kinoti thanked the sponsors for their support and encouraged additional sponsors to join forces to ensure the continued success of the event. The goal for this year’s marathon was to raise KSh. 50 million to support conservation efforts.
The top winners in each gender category were awarded KSh. 150,000 and a Huawei Phone, while the first and second runners-up received KSh. 80,000 and KSh. 60,000, along with a Huawei phone each.
The Lewa Safari Marathon continues to captivate athletes and spectators alike, showcasing the exceptional talent and commitment of participants.
This iconic event not only celebrates athletic prowess but also contributes to the conservation of the environment and the empowerment of local communities.
