Yomi Omogbeja (10/09/2004)

More sponsors are cashing-in on the 2nd Nairobi Standard Chartered marathon to be held next month.

Unilever, through their Blue Band brand, were the latest addition with a sponsorship of Sh3.75 million for the road race.

Standard Chartered Bank are the main sponsors and has splashed out Sh5.5 million in price money.

Runners from all over the world are expected to participate in the running event, which will be held along the streets of Nairobi on October 24.

Unilever marketing director Patricia Ithau said while presenting the cheque that the marathon will go a long way in contributing to the promotion of tourism.

She said: "We at Unilever recognise that sports and sporting events provide inspiration and uplift the human spirit.

"This marathon will showcase Kenya's internationally acclaimed athletic talent that has unequivocally entrenched Kenya on the world sports map."

Standard Chartered managing director Mike Hart acknowledged the difficulty in getting the elite marathoners to register, but said race organisers still expect about 10,000 runners to participate.

"We had over 5,000 runners last year and are hoping to get some top class runners this year, Hart said.

"The race times last year were world class by relatively unknown athletes."

Family event

He urged Kenyans to register for the race saying it was a community event that added value through the various charities that benefited from the event's proceeds.

Blue Band as the official co-sponsors will brand the 5 km Family Fun Run. Apart from the family run, the marathon event will feature five other categories:

Prize money will be offered in the half marathon, 10 km road race, 42 km wheelchair race and the 10 km corporate team challenge.

The male and female winners of this year's full marathon will each receive Sh1 million in prize money with a bonus of Sh500,000 for breaking the course record.

Participants are to pay Sh200 to register for the full marathon, half marathon, wheel chair and 10 km race while registration for the corporate challenge costs Sh25,000.