On Sunday, October 25, 2009, we shall run the Nairobi International Marathon.
a) This is your checklist to determine how ready you are:
- Your race category – know it now. You must have made your choice, either of 10k, 21k or 42k. (Your decision determines your training regime - I provided you with the training schedule in June!)
- Running shoes – you must have them ready now, and practice in them. Last minute buys usually hurt (the feet and the pocket)
- Practice for the race category – your preparation shall be based on your race category. September marks the peak in training. This means being on the road ideally thrice during weekdays plus one long weekend runs. If you can not manage the rigors, at least run once a week.
- Start practicing – if you have never been on the road, this is your time to start.
- Do not get injured – September is the peak training season, with potential for injury. Injury at such time may dim your hopes for the run or your ambition. Run safe, be cautious and take care (road hazards, physical injury, illness)
- Stay healthy – eat well (adequate, balanced diet), take plenty of fluids, have adequate rest, seek medical attention for illnesses and injury
- Write your ambition/goal – Write what your goal for the 2009 Nairobi Marathon is e.g. improvement in time, finishing a particular race, running to the finish line, defeating a friend etc. Give the written note to a friend (or me) to keep till afternoon of Oct. 25. Am sure you shall be saying, "Open the note – I have done it!," on that afternoon
b) The details of the 2009 marathon:
The 2009 Nairobi International Marathon was inaugurated in the first week of September - and the countdown in now on.
The theme for 2009 is "run and be a hero in someone's eyes". Note that part of the proceeds from the race are usually used to treat eye ailments in major hospitals in Kenya annually. The sponsor's "seeing is believing" initiative is however global, having been launched in 2003. So far one million sight restorations have been undertaken worldwide since that time!
- The routes – same as last year’s i.e. Nyayo stadium to city centre streets, back to Nyayo stadium (10km), to Mombasa road and back (21km), repeat Mombasa road loop (42km)
- Registration period – Sept. 5 to Oct. 24 (subject to first-come-first-registered upto the target number)
- Registration fee – KShs.1,000/US$50 (kit is expected immediately on registration). Note - there is also a family fun run of 3km, whose registration fee is KShs.500/US$25 and a team challenge for KShs.50,000/US$750
- Registration method – online (on the sponsor's website), Sponsors bank branches Kenyawide (from 5th Sept), major Nairobi shopping malls (from 25th Sept)
- Runners kit – bag, T-shirt (sizes L, XL and XXL), guidebook, timing-chip
- Start time - the wheel chair race starts at 7.00am, followed by the 42km full marathon men and women at 7.05am. The 21km run for men and women starts at 7.25am
c) What to do
- Start/continue your training routine
- Register for the event early (recall that it is a first-come-first-registered. Your training shall go to naught if you fail to get a place in the marathon!)
- On race day be at the stadium early - from past experience the start times are observed to the second
d) Why you should participate in the 2009 Nairobi International Marathon
- It is for a good cause, being charitable to 'be a hero in someone's eyes'
- It is a meeting point for friends, family and colleagues
- It is an opportunity to run a race category of choice
- There is lots of entertainment at the finishing point in the stadium
- You get to see the next champion being born (no one wins the Nairobi event twice)
- You get a medal! (and a certificate)
- The only day when motor vehicles show you respect!
- WWB shall be there
