Sanlam Kenya, has flagged off the elite Kenyan athletes set to represent the country at the 8th Sanlam Cape Town Marathon this Sunday.
The event to be staged on a picturesque 42 KM course in Cape Town, South Africa, is well-positioned as the continent’s only International Amateur Athletic Federation (IAAF) Gold Label Marathon.
Leading the elite charge will be Kenya’s Daniel Muindi Muteti, who emerged 2nd at the 2019 Sanlam Cape Town Marathon and has also previously bagged the Pila Half Marathon, Pune Half Marathon, Warszawa Half Marathon and Half Marathon, Wrocław.
Muteti, who has also participated at the Tata Mumbai Marathon, and Hague City-Pier-City Half Marathon will be joined by compatriots Jonathan Kipchirchir Chesoo, Eliud Kiptanui, Reuben Kemboi and Chelagat Elizabeth.
Speaking at the flag-off ceremony, Sanlam Kenya Group CEO Dr Nyamemba Tumbo affirmed the company’s commitment towards nurturing sporting talent in the country and enabling the growth of promising athletic careers.
“Kenya is known as the home of champion athletes, and Sanlam Kenya is proud to have these elite athletes representing our beloved country at the 8th edition of the Sanlam Cape Town marathon. We recognise the wholesome power of sports in enabling the progress of society; it supports livelihoods and nurtures talent. This is our promise as Sanlam Kenya, to be the partner to help you get through life. We strive to ensure that we innovate our products and services to serve you throughout all the stages of your life,” he added.
Speaking from Johannesburg, Sydney Mbhele, Chief Executive of Brand at Sanlam, said: “As a business, Sanlam has always been driven by its purpose of enabling financial resilience and prosperity for all. Therefore, partnering with Africa’s only Gold Label Status marathon is something we are extremely proud. It aligns with our values as an organization because the marathon provides us with numerous opportunities to affect positive change”.
“The race demonstrates the difference that can be made when we come together under one unified purpose. When we run determinedly towards our goals, we become unstoppable. Against the backdrop of the pandemic, now is the moment to look confidently ahead and start to rebuild. Events like this are an integral part of the process”, Mbhele.
Other members of the Kenyan contingent to the 8th Sanlam Cape Town Marathon are William Kiprono Yegon, Alex Saekwo, Cosmas Kyeva, Robert Chemosin, Aperumoi Joseph Kachapi, Kenneth Korir Kipyagon, Reuben Kemboi, Eliud Kiptanui, Samwel Maswai, Jonathan Kipchirchir Chesoo, Emmanuel Oliaulo Ngatuny, Stella Jepkosgei Rutto, Esther Macharia, Chelagat Elizabeth, Joyce Kiplimo Jemutai, Lydia Naliaka Simiyu, and Lucy Karimi.