Eldoret is set for another thrilling City Marathon

Sitting from left, Standard Group Customer Relation Officer Judy Yego,Eldoret City Marathon Director Moses Tanui, event's promoter and Deputy National Assembly Speaker Gladys Shollei, AK Chairman Uasin Gishu Joseph Boit and Claire Limo (member), during media briefing in Eldoret. [Peter Ochieng, Standard]

Preparations for the fifth edition of Eldoret City Marathon are on top gear, ten days to the April 21 showdown.

On Wednesday, organisers assured athletes that the race's technical aspects were in advanced stages ahead of the event.

“We are set for another thrilling marathon on April 21. The preparations are on top. We already have the prize money and the organising committee is undertaking the preparations,” Race Director Moses Tanui said in Eldoret.

Tanui, a double Boston Marathon winner, said organisers were working closely with AK for a world class showpiece.

He said the new Eldoret City Marathon course measured by legendary athlete Ibrahim Hussein, a certified measurer, was ready.

The Race Director assured athletes that sponsorship challenges that resulted in cancellation of the 2023 edition had been resolved

“We are back again. We have been on the streets running the Eldoret City Marathon and I am happy that the challenges we have been facing have been resolved and we are ready to run the marathon.

“I am also glad to announce that Eldoret City Marathon is back, and bigger,” said Tanui.

Uasin Gishu County AK chairman Joseph Boit said marathoners were tuning their sights on the race’s Sh3.5 million winning prize.

Boit said the 2024 Eldoret City marathon preps were on course and asked athletes to train well.

“AK is working closely with the organisers for a world class race. We welcome athletics fans and participants to Eldoret and urge athletes to run clean,” Boit said during the press conference in Eldoret.

Eldoret City Marathon race promoter Gladys Boss Shollei said the race was back thanks to enhanced partnerships.

She said the race will remain athletes’ launching pad to global marathons.

Previous Eldoret City Marathon podium finishers such as Judith Korir, and winners including Valary Aiyabei and Victor Kipchirchir have gone ahead to shine in global races.

“The City of Champions (Eldoret) is announcing the resumption of its biggest marathon.

“It was sad that as a City of Champions we had no race yet we sent our top athletes to world marathon majors,” the National Assembly Deputy Speaker, who is preparing to run the event’s 10km fun race, said.

In 2020, Eldoret City Marathon was recognised by the Abbott World Marathon Major (WMM) series.

“I am proud of the founders (of Eldoret City Marathon) for bringing the race closer home. Some athletes will take public service means of transport to take part in the race. They will race for time to be entered in major races. They will be spotted by managers and agents,” said Shollei.

She went on: “Many athletes can't even take part in races in Nairobi because they lack resources and have no managers.”

The promoter said many budding marathoners will be supported to compete in the Sunday race through an “Adopt an athlete” initiative program where partners sponsor talents with Sh20,000 ahead of the Eldoret show.

She said no athlete will be left out because they can't raise registration fees.

On the 10km fun race, the promoter said: “There will be cheering squads to inspire and cheer the elite athletes. They will be running the 10km fun run.”

She said ways to sustain the Eldoret City Marathon have been explored after last year’s hurdle.