Athletics: Yego to defend title

MediHeal Hospital Vice President Dr Umesh Nichat (centre) hands over a cheque of Sh 1 Million to Eldoret City Marathon Director Moses Tanui (Left) [Courtesy]

Elkana Yego will be back for another shot at the Eldoret City Marathon title next month.

On Thursday, race organisers confirmed that Yego, a two-time Kisumu City marathon, will aim for a second win in the showdown that gets underway during the Easter holiday.

Last year, Yego clocked 2:12.44 to win the men’s race upstaging Philip Cheruiyot Kangongo and Brian Kipsang.

Race director Moses Tanui said the Eldoret City marathon will offer budding athletes an opportunity to showcase their talents and even challenge elite ones.

Tanui, the two-time Boston marathon winner, said: “We are looking forward to watching athletes who have trained for more than six years and have not had the opportunity to compete in national and international races because they don’t have agents or managers.”

The 1991 world 10,000m champion said the Sh3.5 million prize money stands out among the highest payout in Africa races and may attract a good number of elite runners to the race set for April 21. The Standard Group is a media sponsor.

“We are among the highest paying marathon in Africa and we want to become one of the best marathons in the world,” Tanui said while receiving a Sh1 million sponsorship from the Mediheal Group of Hospitals.

He added: “We still require Sh4 million to ensure the race standards beats the 2018 edition.”

Mediheal Group of Hospitals Vice President Dr Umesh Nichat said the facility will help in physiotherapy and offer ambulance services during the race.

“We are always part of the races in Eldoret but Eldoret City Marathon is in our heart,” Nichat said.