Expect yet another world class Eldoret City Marathon show

 

Eldoret City Marathon 42km women champion Mercy Kipchumba crosses the finish line. [Christopher Kipsang, Standard]

The North Rift town of Eldoret is ready to produce another world class Eldoret City marathon on April 10, organisers have said.

The Local organising Committee (LOC) said preparations were almost done, 24 days to the race that will be held in a town christened City of Champions for producing the highest number of world beaters in athletics.

Several race sponsors are expected to present cheques tomorrow, in support of the marathon.

Eldoret Marathon LOC chairman Andrew Chelogoi said preparations are going on well.

Chelogoi said the cheque presentation will be used to invite more partners to support this year’s edition.

“The cheque presentation session on Friday will be an event to invite partners and sponsors to the marathon,” Chelogoi said yesterday in Eldoret.

He said the finish line will be managed effectively this year, with the media, technical officials and health personnel being given priority during the April 4 race.

Registration began last month and more athletes are expected to register ahead of the deadline.

“The finish line will be managed in a better way this year. There will be improvement in many other aspects of the race,” he said.

The race’s technical committee said the course is ready for the marathon.

The route starts at the University of Eldoret and ends near Zion Mall in Eldoret town.

Former three-time Boston Marathon champion Ibrahim Hussein – a certified World Athletics course measurer, is part of the team in charge of the Eldoret City marathon's route.

Joe Chemuren, a member of the technical committee said mapping of the route has been ongoing.

He said for visibility, some sections of the course will be re-marked just a few days to the race.

“Mapping of water points and other features is underway. Re-marking will be done in various sections of the route a few days to the race,” he said.

The LOC said about 13 ambulances and several health personnel will be deployed by Eldoret-based health facilities that are sponsoring the race.

Some of the hospitals sponsoring this year’s edition are Mediheal and Reale hospitals.

Race director Moses Tanui said the electronic timing system, which worked flawlessly during the third edition on June 6 last year, will be deployed this year