Athletics stars eye glory at Iten Marathon

Upcoming athletics stars will on Sunday race for glory alongside their experienced counterparts at the third edition of Iten International Marathon.

Last year’s champion Luke Kiprop, who is fresh from a strong 12th place in the 2024 Berlin Marathon in September, will not be in action in tomorrow’s contest, meaning a new champion will be made in the men’s full marathon.

Upcoming marathoners will be seeking to prove a point as experienced runners showcase the tactics they have acquired after years of training in Iten.

A newbie, Kepher Namutala who trains alongside the 2023 winner (Kiprop) and world 10,000m silver medallist Daniel Simiu Ebenyo among others, will among young marathoners hoping to tear the rule book in Iten.

Namutala also takes to the start line of the marathon the pride of training in the same camp in Iten with World Under-20 champion Andrew Kiptoo Alamisi.

While Namutala is looking to follow in the footsteps of his training partner, Kiprop, the former will be watching on the sidelines as he trains his sights on the 2025 Boston Marathon where history awaits him as he competes in his second World Marathon Major.

“I have trained well and I am ready for the race on Sunday. I am familiar with the course and I hope for the best,” he said.

The 42.195km starts in Choroget and takes several turns before the finish line outside the Elgeyo Marakwet Governor’s office in Iten.

Yesterday, several athletes turned up at registration centres in Iten and across 20 wards ahead of the close of registration later this afternoon.

Partners and dignitaries are today planting trees in Iten, the headquarters of athletics just hours to the marathon.

“In line with the Run for Climate Resilience theme, we will plant trees together with partners just hours to the race,” Elgeyo Marakwet Sports Executive Purity Koima said on Thursday.

Businessmen were also prepping up for a large number of athletics enthusiasts who will be out to cheer stars and athletes who are arriving to the Mecca of athletics for the Sunday showdown.

“Don’t be left behind. All roads will be leading to Iten for the third edition of Iten International Marathon,” race patron, Governor Wisley Rotich said.

Top Ministry of Sports officials are, according to organisers, expected to grace tomorrow’s event.

They will be taking part in the race’s 2km fun run before taking their seats at the Iten Playgrounds where top athletes will be awarded. Elite athletes will compete in the 42km and 10km races.

The atmosphere in Iten, the tiny town that has earned the ‘Home of Champions’ status for hosting more than 3,000 athletes who train on its streets daily, was already electric.

Weather reports indicate temperatures of lower than 15 degrees Celsius tomorrow morning when the race starts and 23 degrees Celsius at midday during the awards ceremony.

Standard Media Group KTN will be bringing the action live, with other platforms providing real-time updates during the showpiece.