NAIROBI, Aug. 1 (Xinhua) -- Organizers of the 17th edition of the Standard Chartered Nairobi International Marathon said on Thursday they expect more than 25,000 participants to take part in the race scheduled for Oct.27.
Peter Gitau, chairman of Local Organizing Committee (LOC), said that the race will adopt some of the latest technology such as installing chips in runners' shoes so they can keep track of their split times as well as more accurate results.
"Since inception, the marathon has become Kenya's premier sporting event hence the reason we are evolving with time to embrace the latest expertise to manage it," Gitau said in Nairobi during the launch of the event whose proceeds are used to treat the eye disease of cataract among children.
From humble beginnings back in 2003 with 4,000 participants to an anticipated 25,000 runners this year, the marathon has marked major milestones fully achieving its objectives organizers set from the early days.
The marathon is the flagship project for the Standard Chartered Bank's 'Seeing is Believing' community initiative that aims to raise funds for community projects.
Other objectives of the marathon are to raise the profile of Kenya internationally, help identify and provide an opportunity for the local athletic talent to excel and help boost tourism to Kenya.
The Nairobi Marathon has also served as a platform where budding athletes have launched their international careers. Since the launch of the marathon in 2003, only one winner has successfully defended their title. Every year the marathon produces new winners.
Gitau said the marathon will follow strict anti-doping guidelines and that they will work with the Anti-Doping Agency of Kenya to ensure that only credible winners emerge.
Recently, the government announced that it is monitoring, evaluating and guiding the process of ensuring that the doping problem is eradicated for good in the country.
Since its inception, more than 244,000 participants have taken part in the event wherein an excess of 200 million Kenyan shillings (2 million dollars) have been raised.