Kenyan team for Sanlam Cape Town Marathon flagged off

The team features some of Kenya’s most promising long-distance runners, including Lilian Jepkorir Chebii, Vincent Kipyegon Ronoh, Josephat Kipkoech, Edwin Kiptoo, Fridah Chepkite Lodepa, Flomena Chepkiach Ngurasia, Godfrey Musanga and Japhet Kiptoo Kiplagat.

Kiplagat said he was banking on near-perfect preparations to conquer the roads of the South African city.

“I have been in training, and when I heard I was getting this opportunity, I was well prepared for it. I’m betting on my tactical preparations to be on the podium,” he said.

The Sanlam Cape Town Marathon is currently a candidate to become an Abbott World Marathon Majors event.

Having successfully completed the first assessment phase in 2024, organisers must now meet a 104-point criterion focused on operational excellence and participant experience.

The current Abbott World Marathon Majors include Boston, London, Berlin, Chicago, Tokyo, New York, and the newly elevated Sydney Marathon —which are the ultimate stage for long-distance runners.

Speaking at the corporate flag-off in Nairobi, Sanlam Kenya Group CEO Dr Nyamemba Tumbo said the firm will collaborate with local sports development stakeholders in the delivery of tailor-made financial literacy training modules.

“At Sanlam Kenya, we are partnering with our sportspersons in more ways than one. Beyond our corporate sponsorships, we are also exploring the modalities of delivering tailor-made financial literacy lessons for the athletes,” said Dr Nyamemba Tumbo.

He added, “By delivering such financial literacy lessons, we shall be actively working to empower them to be financially confident, secure and prosperous now and in their post-active competition and retirement days.”

The flag off ceremony was presided over by Dr Paul Tergat, the founder of SOYA Awards and a member of the International Olympic Committee of Kenya (IOC) and former president of the National Olympic Committee (NOCK).

“Without exposure to athletes, you can be able to train but you will always waste so much of your time locally. But having someone to hold your hand, give you the opportunity to go and compete outside there, that is a huge exposure and opportunity for each and every active athlete.

“Even as a nation, we want to make sure that we invest more in terms of exposure for our sportsmen and women to be able to grow in their own careers.

“My highlight is to be able to see this Sanlam Marathon growing and for the first time this year is joining the World Majors Marathon globally. So it is a huge event and this is a major opportunity for also the) of the World Major Series. You have been working so hard, so your commitment, the sacrifice, the focus that you've been able to put, go out there and give your best,” said Tergat.

The winning athletes stand a chance to win Ksh 5Million (USD 40,000) prize money, which is part of Sanlam’s broader ambition to create transformative opportunities across sectors and support initiatives that showcase Africa’s excellence to the world.