Elias Makori
23 April 2011
Nairobi — Erstwhile a small race in the Dutch city of Utrecht, the Jaarbeurs Utrecht Marathon is now all over in the news, but for all the wrong reasons.
Since The Volksrant, a leading daily newspaper in The Netherlands, broke the news that organisers of the marathon are offering a paltry 100 Euros (Sh12,100) to Kenyan and other foreign winners of the race, while Dutch winners will pocket 10,000 Euros (Sh1,210,000), there has been widespread condemnation of this prize structure.
Athletics Kenya secretary David Okeyo said his association would discourage Kenyans from running in the race while a Nairobi-based Dutch businessman offered to match the organisers’ “Dutch package” by giving any Kenyan or foreign winner of the annual race the difference – 9,900 Euros!
Equal rights organisations in The Netherlands were up in arms last week and in Nairobi, sports assistant minister Kabando wa Kabando on Thursday read an unsolicited statement in Parliament saying the government had officially expressed its displeasure with the Dutch authorities.
The race is scheduled for Easter Monday, and Nairobi-based Gert-Jan van Wijk, the initiator of The world we work in, an executive learning network, on Saturday said his organisation would arrange an “unofficial” international prize award ceremony for any non Dutch runner who will win the race.
“The world we work in believes that fair competition, and a welcoming attitude to the best international contestants is vital for our image and prosperity in the Netherlands,” Van Wijk said in a statement.
“Therefore, we will equalise the price for an international winner to the level of a Dutch winner: 9,900 Euros.
“I am not travelling to the Utrecht marathon. Therefore, I am delighted that one of my respected clients, who fully supports the idea of the price offer, is willing to lead the unofficial price ceremony.”
“Thomas Mulder, HR Director at Accenture, will hand out the prize in front of the entrance of the Beatrix building at de Croeselaan an hour after the start of the official prize ceremony. We hope that the organisation of the Utrecht Marathon can point the winner in the right direction.”
Kenya’s William Kipchumba won last year’s race.
‘The Dutch Battle’
In their defence, the organisers of Monday’s race – popularly known as “The Dutch Battle” – say the prize structure is a one-off meant to encourage Dutch runners, and that they would revert to the usual, non-discriminatory prize system next year.
“These (Dutch) runners will have a stage to show off their talent in Utrecht.
“By rewarding them for participating in the Dutch Battle we are giving them the opportunity to continue to train and improve for a period after the Jaarbeurs Utrecht Marathon without the financial strains,” race director Louran van Keulen said in a press statement last week.
“The Dutch marathon sport needs heroes to inspire other runners and sport at all levels.”
The women’s race is not affected though, and is expected to be contested between Kenyans Lydia Kurgat, who holds the course record, and Viola Kimetto.
Late last night, it appeared that the race organisers and Van Wijk were on course to agreeing on the two awards ceremonies – for the Dutch and foreign winners – being both on the official programme.
AllAfrica – All the Time
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Kenya: ‘Foreign’ Prize Giving Ceremony At Utrecht