Former world 5,000m champion Benjamin Limo has urged athletes to turn up in large numbers for the Kisumu City Half Marathon set for September 24 in Kisumu.
Limo is the race ambassador alongside 2004 Athens Olympic Games 5000m silver medallist Isabella Ochichi of the Kenya Police Service.
Limo said their role is to advise athletes heading for the race to embrace fair play.
“We are telling our young people to remain focused, free from drugs and other malpractices in sports,” said Limo while cautioning athletes against transitioning to the roads early in their careers.
“We had good careers with Ochichi, both on cross country and track. The Kisumu race champions for climate action and we are asking athletes to conserve the environment,” he said.
Limo said he and Ochichi ran for years without getting into trouble as opposed to the current crop of athletes, whom he said are focused on winning, whatever it takes, and hitting the roads while still young.
In Kisumu, competitors will feature in 21km and 10km races for the elite as well as a 5km family run.
"We are urging athletes and individuals from all walks of life to come and run in the race with a noble idea,” he said.