Busia: Preparations for the annual Busia Border Marathon scheduled for Saturday, April 19, have been finalized.
According to Kenya News Agency, the event will include a 15-kilometre run that will see athletes cross to the neighboring Uganda and back.
Speaking to the press at the County Commissioner’s office premises on Wednesday, Martha said that the race will advocate for health and wealth. “The other objective of this year’s run will be to nurture talents among the youth, some of whom drop out of school and engage in drug and substance abuse,” she said. Martha stated that the run will also promote cohesion and peace between the two countries, adding that NACADA will play a key role in sensitizing youth within the border countries against drug and substance abuse.
She mentioned that some hospitals were also partnering with her organization to offer free medical checkups on various ailments, including Diabetes, Cancer, and HIV, adding that residents will also be encouraged to donate blood during the event.
Athletics Kenya Bungoma branch chairman Shem Ominde said the 15-kilometre run will feature athletes aged between 35 and 74 years, adding that winners will be subjected to doping tests in line with athletics laws.
Busia County NACADA coordinator Zeka Wekesa reiterated that the cross-border run will enhance cohesion between Kenya and Uganda, especially in the fight against drug and substance abuse.
On his part, Busia Municipality Assistant County Commissioner Calvin Monare assured that National government security officers in Kenya will continue working closely with their Ugandan counterparts to ensure the porous border is drug-free. Monare added that routes that will be used by athletes have already been mapped and security arrangements in the two countries are well arranged to ensure the success of the event.