For the last eight years, Bank of Africa has sponsored viewerthon for athletes during major global marathon series as part of the bank’s commitment to supporting Kenya’s world class athletics talent pool.
Bank of Africa’s “Viewerthons” is a series of events where the bank invites elite and upcoming athletes along with members of the local community to follow the World Abbot World Marathon Majors races live from Boston, London, Berlin,Chicago and New York City, while being taken through education programmes.
The bank hosted more than 200 athletes at a “vierwethon” at the iconic Kericho Tea hotel on Sunday for the New York City Marathon where coincidentally, a local won the global event in the women category.
It was song and dance as Sheila Chepkirui , who hials from Kipchimchim in the outskirts of Kericho town, crossed the finish line at a time of 2:24.35 to be crowned the 2024 TCS New York City Marathon Champion, marking an historic moment in her debut at the women’s category.
It was Chepkirui’s first ever Abbot World Marathon Majors title as she led a podium finish sweep of compatriots Hellen Obiri (2:24:49) and Vivian Cheruiyot (2:25:21) in position two and three respectively to cement Kenya’s position in the Marathon.
It was also the first time since 1978 that a single country won the gold, silver and bronze in the women’s division.
“Winning today means a lot to me. It means my training has been well, and I am really happy for the win” Chepkirui said on Sunday after crossing the finish line as the 2024 New York City Marathon champion in the women's category.
Netherland’s Abdi Nageeye also made history by winning the men’s category clocking 2:07:39 beating Kenya’s Evans Chebet the 2022 champion who finished second in 2:07:45 and Albert Korir, the 2021 champion who registered 2:08:00 in third place.
Chepkirui, a Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) soldier, was pushed to the limelight in 2005 when she won gold in 1,500m at the World Youth Championship in Marrakech.
The New York Marathon, one of the six World Marathon Majors, was founded in 1970 by the New York Road Runners President with the course, described as a hard one, traversing five boroughs in the city.
Malenya Lusimba, the Head of Bank of Africa’s Kenya’s “Mwanariadha Account” said the bank was keen on propping up athletes on their professional and investment development.
“We strive to start working with athletes when they are still young, agile, and full of energy and in their formative ages. This is when they are eager to make wins and earn from their sporting activities and endorsements” Lusimba said.
“It is exciting to see Kenyan ladies take position 1, 2, 3 in the New York City Marathon. What a good closure to the 2024 Abbot World Marathon Majors season. Congratulations to Chebet and Korir too”Lusimba said.
He added” It is always easy to shape their (athletes) thoughts to think post retirement with a good financial plan, given that an athlete's lifespan in his/her sporting life is short and their bodies are susceptible to lots of injuries. They should make most of this formative stage”
Bank of Africa offers banking services to corporate, SMEs and retail clientele gives distinctive packages to athletes including Asset Finance so as to make them achieve their short and long term financial goals.
Joyline Chemutai Ngeno, the 2024 Chicago Half Marathon champion, said Chepkirui’s performance was a major encouragement to all athletes in the country.
“Chepkirui’s win is a clear demonstration that there is a good training ground in Kericho for athletes who can compete globally and win in major races. It is an inspiration for upcoming athletes to train harder” Chemutai said.
Chemutai said she was keen to gauge the performance of the competitors as she has been invited to next year’s competition.
“I have been invited to participate in next year’s full marathon and I am keen on learning one or two things before then. Success in athletics is all about planning, discipline and staying the course” Chemutai said.
For Peter Cheruiyot Kirui, the 2012 New York Half Marathon champion with a personal best of 59:32, watching the race brought back nostalgic memories.
“New York Marathon course is a difficult one to navigate through. It is a hard course, but Kenyans have repeatedly triumphed in it over the years. Chepkirui;s win is a clear demonstration of the ability and discipline by Kenyan athletes” Kirui said in an interview.
A number of coaches including, Japeth Kemei, Sammy Nyagoe,Vincent Ngeno, Dickson Kimetto, Peter Kirui joined the athletes in watching the competition from a giant screen at the hotel’s Ballroom.
“Chekirui’s win is a win for Kenya and a big one for Kericho county. It is a clear demonstration that Kericho county is the new kid in the block in global athletics, Congratulations also to Obiri and Cheruiyot for emerging in second and third position. Thumbs up to Evans Chebet and Albert Korir who took second and third position in the men category.” Kericho Governor Erick Mutai said.
“In partnership with the national government and other stakeholders, including Athletics Kenya, we will seek to improve infrastructural facilities in the county to create an enabling environment for athletes to train” Mutai said.
