Michael Njenga and Lydia Njeri are the new champions of the 13th edition of Henry Wanyoike Hope for the Future Run that was held on Saturday in Kikuyu, Kiambu County.
Njenga clocked 25 min:02 sec to beat Vincent Boit and Dancun Manyara who finished second and third in a time of 25:22 and 26:09 respectively in the men’s 10km senior race. The race attracted over 2000 participants.
Michael Njenga and Lidya Njeri each went home with a cash prize of KSh15,000 while the first and second runners-up in the senior categories pocketed KSh10,000 and KSh8,000 respectively.
For the juniors, it was KSh5,000, KSh3,000 and KSh2,000 for the first three positions.
“I am very glad for my win today. This is my second time to be part of the run and I have been training hard to win. The weather was good with a clear route. My victory today will go a long way to not only help me but also assist those who have visual impairment,” said Michael Njenga, winner of the men’s 10 km senior race.
Njeri who was also participating in the race for the second time crossed the finish line at a time of 30min: 31sec ahead of Pauline Wangui who came in second at 30:37 followed closely by Esther Waweru at 31:18 in the women’s senior race.
“The race was tough due to stiff competition from my opponents. Being my second time here, I am glad I won. I am looking forward to concentrating in the international races this year,” said Lidya Njeri winner of the women’s 10 km senior race.
Safaricom sponsored the race to a tune of KSh1 Million.
This is in addition to providing security and ambulances for the event whose target was to raise KSh10 million, in kind and cash that will be used to distribute 200 white canes for visually impaired people across all 47 counties.
In the 9km junior race, Ephantus Githau won the men’s category crossing the finish line in a time of 27 min:37sec. He was followed closely by Simon Kimor in a time of 29:31 and Mathew Nganga in time of 29:38.
Lucy Wanjiku won the 9km Junior women’s category finishing at 38:13 followed by Joyce Wawera at 41:11and Hannah Muthoni at 47:25.
The race involved 10kms for seniors, 9km for juniors, wheelchair races as well 3.5 km for veterans and children.
This year’s goal is to distribute white canes to enhance mobility for visually impaired people enabling them to move around on their own in their places of work, business and school.
