Lari Marathon; Run For A Cause & Enjoy Live Performances

Kiambu Lari Marathon

Kiambu County has launched Lari Marathon, the first ever to be ran in a forest. Aimed at conserving the environment through sports, the track will be ran at the extensive Kereita Forest in Lari Sub-County.

Speaking during the launch at the Kiambu County Office the Minister for Environment Kiambu County Esther Njuguna said that it was painful to see the Forest degradation take toll of the largest forest in the County and called for urgent measures to be put in place to conserve the earth.

Kiambu Governor William Kabogo noted the importance of conserving the environment and especially the water catchment areas. He said that his government is committed to conserving water towers and will be planting over 100,000 trees inside the forest.

He was backed by Minister for youth and Sports affairs Machel Waikenda who called upon the youth to plant trees in large numbers. “As youth we are better placed to set examples. We need to start planting trees and make it a lifestyle to start attracting masses to joining us. The first marathon will be fun, as we run and plant trees. New talent will be also tapped and raised from the event,” said Waikenda.

The Marathon is divided into the full and half marathons, 10km corporate and 5km children’s races and the winners of the full marathon will bag Sh300, 000 while those who will finish second and third will take home Sh200, 000 and Sh100,000 respectively.

On completion of the Marathon, there will be a music concert in the heart of Kereita Forest dubbed “Jazz in theWild”. Jazz in the Wild a musical project that supports conservation efforts in African rangelands. The project uses music as a tool to promote conservation and eco-tourism in Kenya.

Leading Kenyan artistes and comedians are expected to endorse the message of conservation.