A Fully Paid Vacation For The Champions

The Kenya Tourism Board (KTB) has rewarded three Kenyan marathoners with a fully paid vacation. 

2017 Boston Marathon winner Geoffrey Kirui alongside the 2017 New York Marathon winning duo of Geoffrey Kamworor and Mary Keitany will spend the next five days at Amboseli National Park, Diani Beach and Kisite Mpunguti Marine Park.         

This is the second time that KTB is rewarding Kenya’s elite marathon runners with vacations under a programme that was launched in November 2017. Wilson Kipsang and Sarah Chepchirchir were the first recipients.

Speaking during a press conference to announce the reward of the three marathoners, KTB Chief Executive Officer, Dr. Betty Radier has said the gesture is a recognition of the important role that Kenyan athletes play in selling Kenya abroad.

Dr. Radier said, “Kenyan marathon champions are undoubtedly our nation’s best ambassadors given that the races they participate in are held across Kenya’s key tourist source markets. Our champion athletes rub shoulders with ordinary citizens in the cities hosting the races as well as with professional athletes from other nations.” 

“As the body mandated with the task of marketing Kenya’s tourism products, we recognize the huge profile that our athletic heroes occupy on the world stage. We believe our marathon champions can help push Kenya as a top tourist destination in the various marathon events that they participate in.” the KTB CEO added.                                                                    

Geoffrey Kirui topped the 2017 Boston Marathon’s men’s category, stopping the clock at 2:09:37 while Geoffrey Kamworor finished first in the 2017 New York City Marathon’s men’s division in 2 hours, 10 minutes and 53 seconds.

Mary Keitany completed a Kenyan clean sweep at the Big Apple, clocking 2:17:01 to win the women’s category and becoming the second fastest female marathoner.