MKTE PARTICIPANTS RUN ALONGSIDE SOME OF KENYA’S ATHLETICS CHAMPIONS
(Posted 13th October 2016)
(Some of the early birds catching a run – and picture – with Kenya’s champions)
Whoever thought up this goodie surely had a stroke of genius as participants of the annual Magical Kenya Travel Expo can this year do their crack of dawn run alongside some of Kenya’s Olympic champions.
Picked up from their hotels are they bussed to the centrally located Arboretum, one of Nairobi’s green lung areas. The Arboretum is a botanical garden and forest reserve of some 30 hectares in size and provides a popular weekend spot for families, those keen to seen indigenous plants and shrubs but also for bird watchers as over 100 species have been recorded at the location.
It is in itself worth visiting of course but at this early hour during MKTE2016 it is a visit with a twist.
For the duration of the Magical Kenya Expo are sporty participants met for the warm up and stretch session by such trade names like Jemima Sumgong, Olympic Marathon Champion in Rio this year, adding yet another dimension to their stay in Kenya as they come face to face with some of athletics most famous individuals. Then they embark on a half hour run before winding down and returning to their hotels, fit to walk the aisles of the KICC Exhibition area.
The Kenyan sports team was also at the official opening of MKTE2016 yesterday morning at the Kenyatta International Convention Centre, providing yet more photo opportunities for fans who came to Nairobi to do business with the country’s tourism industry.
Kenya’s long athletics tradition in track events, especially the Steeple Chase 3000 metres, all started at St. Patrick’s school in Iten, which today is at the centre of identifying young talent and training them to world standards, bringing home medals from wherever they compete.
Iten can be visited and has been showcased by the Kenya Tourism Board as a sports destination and local tour and safari operators will be more than happy to build in a side trip to this scenic location should tourists wish to see the place.
For added destination information about Kenya click on www.magicalkenya.com
