Keitany advises stars ahead of Iten Marathon

World marathon record holder Mary Keitany plants trees at Kamariny Stadium on November 9, 2023 ahead of the Iten Marathon on November 11, 2023. [Christopher Kipsang, Standard]

Women-only marathon record holder Mary Keitany wants a big number of budding athletes to line up in Sunday’s Iten International Marathon.

The three-time London Marathon champion, who has transitioned to coaching after retiring in 2021 yesterday said local races such as International Marathon will give local athletes an opportunity to be spotted by top athletics managers.

Keitany is among stars who trained in Iten before going ahead to continue Kenyan dominance in athletics, across the globe.

She will also be among coaches cheering their protégés in Sunday’s showdown.

The four-time New York City Marathon winner predicted huge numbers of distance athletes taking part in the 42km and 10km races in the second edition of the race.

She said she was expecting thousands of home fans at Sunday's event.

Apart from being among coaches preparing athletes for the marathon, Keitany is one of the race’s sponsors.

“The Iten International Marathon will motivate a lot of athletes. I urge them (athletes) to turn in large numbers. Many Kenyan athletes face challenges in getting opportunities to compete in races abroad but they have to showcase their potential in local races,” Keitany said.

She continued: “This is the race many athletes have been waiting for. It is happening at home and in the biggest training base. Our athletes will wake up from home and line up in the marathon.”

Keitany advised athletes eyeing victory tomorrow to be ready for a tough contest.

The race will be run on the high altitude Nyaru-Iten road. It will start in Chororget in Keiyo South and the finish line will be in Iten town.

“It will be an exciting race, but the athletes who have prepared well will clinch the title.

“I urge the athletes to display their resilience and trust in themselves,” Keitany said.

She said leading performers in tomorrow’s race will earn their status as global stars, and are likely to get invitations to compete in city marathons.

Keitany asked corporates to sponsor more local road races including marathons, 10km and 5km and cross country, saying more of such contests will give athletes the chance to be spotted.

“Many local athletes train for a long time but end up not getting opportunities to run abroad. Those who have conquered marathon majors started with local races,” she said.

She added: “I wish the athletes good health as they get ready to shine at home.”

Keitany said with favourable weather, and depending on the athletes’ preparations ahead of tomorrow’s race, the 2:08 course record set by Samuel Naibei in the men’s marathon last year, might fall.

“I am now a retired athlete and transitioning to coaching. It will make me proud to watch the athletes make history in Iten. It will also be joyful to see our athletes win the prize money,” said Keitany.

Winners in the 42km race, in both categories, will walk away with Sh1 million each.