- The race will involve the half marathon, 10 km run, 5 km family fund, 2km seal race and the 10 km wheelchair race. Apart from the marathon, there will be other activities such as candle lighting, memorial vigils, as well as medical clinics, with proceeds from the race channelled towards people living with HIV drug injectable drugs.
National Syndemic Diseases Control Council (NSDCC), in collaboration with Athletics Kenya, has organized the World AIDS Half Marathon set for Sunday, December 1, 2024, at the Nyayo National Stadium in Nairobi. In commemoration of World AIDS Day, the marathon aims at creating awareness on the prevention and spread of the disease.
Speaking during an interview, Dr Ruth Masha, CEO of NSDCC, stated that 1.378 million people are living with HIV in Kenya. Out of this figure, about 71,000 are children between 0 and 14 years old. In 2023, the case-related deaths were about 20,480, making Kenya to be ranked among the with the highest death rates despite the availability of treatment. In addition to that, the country had 16752 new HIV infections, with over 3700 cases being children, 8937 being women, and 4072 being men.
She added that in the last 10 years, Kenya has significantly made progress by reducing the number of new HIV infections by 83%. 95% of people living with HIV have been identified, with 97% of them being put on treatment and 94%achieving viral suppression. Despite this achievement, men and boys are leading in AIDS-related deaths in Kenya. New infections have also been significantly witnessed among the youth in Kenya.
She urged Kenyans to buy tickets ahead of the marathon and support those living with the disease. The race will involve the half marathon, 10 km run, 5 km family fund, 2km seal race and the 10 km wheelchair race. Apart from the marathon, there will be other activities such as candle lighting, memorial vigils, as well as medical clinics, with proceeds from the race channelled towards people living with HIV drug injectable drugs.
Professional and amateur athletes have been called upon to participate. Owing to a good price money structure and a platform to showcase their talent. Winners of the half marathon will be rewarded 250,000 kshs, with the 1st runners up bagging 200,000 kshs and the 2nd runners up bagging 100,000. For the 10 km race, the winner willpocket 100,000 kshs with the 1st and 2nd runners up taking 70 and 50,000 kshs respectively.
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