Kenya’s 800 meters champion Mary Moraa is keen to break her super-fast record of 1:56 at the Absa Kip Keino classic later this month.
The 800m women will be a duel of the two world champions Nakaayi Halima from Uganda and Kenya’s Moraa.
Moraa has the potential to break Jarmila Kratochvilova’s 41-year-old record when she runs the Nairobi race that has lined up elite local stars and renowned international names for the continental tourney.
The athlete urged Kenya to turn up in large numbers to propel her to glory at the 30,000-seater stadium where entry is free following Absa Bank Kenya’s sponsorship.
“Come cheer us, we need fans in large numbers. Entry is free so do not sit in your house to watch the race come down and celebrate with us,” Moraa said during the launch of the classic tour.
Absa Bank Kenya has renewed its title sponsorship for the Absa KipKeino Classic Continental Tour – the biggest international continental athletics meet on Kenyan soil.
The lender, who has sponsored the event over the last couple of years has committed Kshs 40 million towards Athletics Kenya activities this year where Kshs 30 million will be direct sponsorship as title sponsors of the 2024 Absa KipKeino Classic Tour.
The remaining Kshs 10 million will be used as the leverage amount as well as in supporting other events in the Kenya athletics calendar, including the under 20 youth trials engagement, national trials series events and Sirikwa Classic which happened in February 2024.
The 5th edition of the Absa KipKeino Classic has attracted elite global athletes and world champions as well as Kenyan stars.
The 100m men will be a duel between Africa’s fastest man Ferdinand Omanyala and Bednarek Kenneth from USA. The javelin throw men see the return of Rohler Thomas from Germany against our very own Julius Yego.
The 100m men will be a duel between Africa’s fastest man Ferdinand Omanyala and Bednarek Kenneth from USA. The javelin throw men see the return of Rohler Thomas from Germany against our very own Julius Yego.
Other elite global athletes will include Deadmon Bryce from USA, Ray Shannon from USA, Kaden Lilly from German, Reid Alana from Jamaica, Nowe Oratile from Botswana, Kandisounon Lena from France, Desta Netsanet from Ethiopia, Mboma Christine from Namibia, among others.
Speaking during the official announcement of the sponsorship, Absa Bank Kenya, Consumer Banking Director Moses Muthui said: “As Absa Bank Kenya we are very proud to be part of this journey of nurturing stars through the KipKeino Classic.
“This championship event provides a great opportunity for Kenyans to not only watch foreign stars in Kenya but to also celebrate our very own homegrown talents whose stories continue to inspire our commitment to this sport as we support and empower them in line with our purpose of empowering Africa’s tomorrow together, one story at a time.”
The championship will feature a diverse range of events from sprints, to hammer throws, promising to give Kenyans a first-hand thrilling experience of what happens on the global stage.