KRA staff staged an exemplary performance to take the second position in the Corporate Category of the Madoka Half Marathon. A total of 25 members of staff participated in the 12th edition of the event held on 21st October, 2017, at Ngerenyi in Wundanyi, Taita Taveta county.
Kenya Ports Authority (KPA) was named winner in the Corporate Category, which also included Safaricom, Kenya Commercial Bank (KCB), Taita Taveta county government, National Oil Corporation and Brookside.
Isaac Kipkoech emerged the individual winner in the 21 KM men category by clocking 1:04:10:28 hours, while Koech Joseph and Kiplagat Shadrack clinched the runners up and third positions respectively. In the 21 KM ladies category, Nancy Kiprop from Elgeyo Marakwet took the lead, clocking 1:14:05:17 hours. Naomi Chebet and Mary Mananu came in second and third respectively.
The overall winners in the event received a cash prize of Shs. 500,000 each.
The patron of the event, Major (Rtd) Marsden Madoka, said plans are underway to establish a proper foundation that would ensure sustainability in running the marathon. ?Without the support of sponsors, we would not have been able to stage this event,? said the former KRA Board chairman, who is currently the chairman of KPA. Mr Madoka added that the annual event aims to nurture talent among the youth in the Coastal region and help them become international professional athletes. ?We need to promote this event for the sake of unearthing hidden talent in this region. I am confident that one of these days we will get a world champion from the Coast region,? he said. Mr Madoka?s plea for support appeared to have caught the attention of Taita Taveta Governor Granton Samboja, who announced that his government will support the event by immediately organising a county athletics competition to identify talented youth.
Those selected will be sponsored by the county government for training. ?Participants who clinch the first, second and third positions in the county athletics meeting will be on the county government payroll for one year as they prepare for the 13th edition of the Madoka Half Marathon,?? the governor said.
