Simon Ngumbau and Sofia Nekesa have won the second edition of the Diani Half Marathon after winning the men’s and women’s categories respectively in the race held on Saturday in Diani, Kwale County.

Simon clocked 1 hour 13 minutes and 02 seconds to cut the tape first ahead of last year’s winner Steve Musyoka who finished second as Tsuma Ngoa completed the podium.

“I also run marathons but I’m a self-sponsored athlete so we face a lot of challenges but I’m happy to have participated in today’s race,” remarked second-placed Steve Musyoka.

Rookie Sofia Nekesa won the women’s race after clocking 1 hour 40 minutes and 50 seconds to relegate Faith Kosgey and Lucy Wamalwa to second and third respectively.

“It was my first time running the half marathon, it hasn’t been east but I really thank God for winning the race,” said Sofia Nekesa.

The race which attracted over 100 runners from Kwale County was organized by the Kick martial arts club and aimed to give aspiring runners a chance to show off their skills and encourage fitness in society.

”we brought the young people together because many of them remain inactive and in groups where they are likely to be influenced to do social evils, so we decided to organize the marathon to give the young people a chance to show their abilities,’ Steve Karisa Kalama, president of the Kick Martia Arts Club, counted.

This year’s race received a boost in the arm after receiving sponsorship from the Kwale County Government and Sky Ward Express, among other supporters.

”We would like to give back to Kwale County, since 2018 Kwale welcomed us as a company to operate in Diani and we also noticed an increase in passengers in Diani and that is the reason why we decided to get involved and sponsor this race,” said Beatrice Manyala in charge of events and communication at Sky Ward express.