NAIROBI, Kenya, November 26 – The inaugural edition of the World Aids Day Half Marathon was launched at Riadha House on Tuesday morning with a clarion call for athletes to take the lead role in the fight against HIV/AIDS.
The road race is predicated on the theme ‘Race against Time’ and seeks to raise awareness on the need for men and boys to undertake early testing for the virus to enable immediate treatment.
It is necessitated by the fact that a majority of those who die of the disease (seven out of 10) are men aged 35 years and above.
Speaking during the launch, National Syndemic Diseases Control Council (NSDCC) CEO Dr Ruth Masha said the event seeks to stir up men to show leadership in the fight to end AIDS.
“While we have made progress in the fight against this scourge, there is a challenge that still remains. We have found that fewer men go for testing; also, many men report to clinics with TB and by the time they do that, it is usually too late to do anything to help them. Men have been traditionally leaders in the society and it is time for them to stand up and lead from the front,” Dr Masha said.
She said increased drug abuse, TB and lack of proper testing among men and boys is an impediment to the fight against the scourge.
The CEO expressed hope that leveraging on the power of sports – particularly athletics – will change thoughts, attitudes and behaviours towards the scourge among men.
“We are proud to be using an avenue for which Kenya is famous for. Our athletes have made us proud on the international scene and we are now calling on them to join us on Sunday,” she said.
The road race will also raise awareness on the increasing problem of injecting drug use, teenage/adolescent pregnancy and adolescent fathers.
Speaking at the same time, Athletics Kenya (AK) Nairobi region chair, Barnaba Korir, expressed satisfaction with the preparations thus far and commended the organising committee for a job-well-done.
“I am proud of the progress we have made in the very short time we have had to organise this event. Athletes have a very important role to play in information dissemination,” Korir said.
His sentiments were echoed by AK chief administrative officer (CAO) Susan Kamau who encouraged stakeholders to fight the scourge with the same vigour as they have tackled doping and gender-based violence (GBV).
“As AK, you can be assured of our support…we are committed to this cause and its success. I encourage all athletes…whether elite or non-elite…to come and compete. Let’s fight AIDS the same way we do doping and GBV,” Kamau said.
Hundreds are expected to participate in five categories of competition including: 21km; 10km; 10km wheelchair run; 5km and 2km CEO’s race and race for kids.
The start point for all the races will be the Toyota Kenya roundabout on Uhuru Highway.
The 21km will snake its way to Westlands, back to the central business district (CBD), then to Upperhill before finishing at the Nyayo Stadium – the finish point for all races.
Other activities planned for the day include a medical camp, memorial and candlelight vigil as well as youth summit that runs until evening.
Interested participants can register via wad24.nsdcc.go.ke or by dialing *826*86#.
Adults will part with Ksh 1500 whereas children will pay Ksh 1000 to participate.
