Ace Africa is constantly engaging the community in innovative ways to help raise awareness on their health and well-being. One avenue of involving all age-groups of the society is through sports. This year, with the support of the Jane Bubear Sports Foundation (JBSF), Ace Africa managed to hold its first ever Athletics day in Got Matar, Siaya, Kenya!
This inaugural event was set up to provide an opportunity for Ace to create awareness to the community and was also used as an occasion to highlight and build upon the talents of young people living in rural Kenya. Furthermore allowing the older generation to take part in raising awareness on topical issues affecting the community.
The event was a roaring success and attracted over 2,500 runners and supporters from across the Siaya County. Over 1,500 runners registered to race on the day. Ace saw some incredibly impressive times, with the fastest male to complete the 10K in 36:04:04 going to Joseph Okelo and the women’s winner finishing in 44.44.92 went to Odira Lilian Atieno.
In order for the entire community and school children to be involved, the races ranged from a 10km road race to 400m sprints!
Ace Africa collaborated with a number of partners on the day to make it such a success. We would like to thank the following:
• Anglican Development Services and the Ministry of Health provided a free medical camp to community members integrated with HIV Counselling and Testing
• KELIN Kenya provided legal aid services
• Aphia plus, western region provided 1000 pair of rubber shoes for needy school children
• Centre for Reproductive health rights dissemination of health messages.
• Khettias supermarket from Bungoma provided drinking water and had a road show
• SBC, KLTD (PEPSI) provided T-shirts, caps and soft drinks
• Kenya Coach Industry provided a donation
• Police department security and control of the crowd
• Ministry of Health personnel for free medical camp and ambulance services
• Scouts department provided first Aid services
• Athletics Kenya organised and officiated the events.
• Got Matar Primary and Secondary School provided venue and a bus for the event
We very much hope to make the JBSF 10k Run an annual event in Got Matar and would like to thank the Jane Bubear Sport Foundation for their most invaluable support in the lead up and for making this day possible. Also, a huge thank you to Richard Pitt and our very own Chairman, John Collenette, for taking part in the run themselves!
