Organisers ready to stage another thrilling Eldoret City Marathon

Eldoret City Marathon Director Mose Tanui (centre), the event coordinator Jacqueline Sumbeiywo and Judy Yego (right), the Standard Media Group representative, which is the event partner during media briefing on the confirmation of the date of the marathon in Eldoret. [Peter Ochieng, Standard

Organisers of the Eldoret City Marathon on Wednesday said they were ready to stage another electrifying race on Sunday, October 1.

The organisers unveiled the annual race’s main sponsor, an Asian company Gulf Royal and Economic Global Holding, and retained Standard Group PLC as the marathon’s media partner.

Eldoret City Marathon director Moses Tanui said at a press conference at Eka Hotel that preparation for the race is at an advanced stage.

This year’s edition was expected to be staged in April, the race’s traditional month but was pushed to October.

Organisers said the rescheduling gave them time to finalise the deal with the new race sponsor.

“Eldoret City Marathon is delighted to announce a major partnership with Gulf Royal and Economic Global Holding. This exciting collaboration marks the beginning of a new era for the marathon, and we are thrilled to welcome athletes and participants from around the world to join us in the 2023 event,” Tanui said.

He said the new sponsor will take charge of the prize money.

Winners in both the men’s and women’s marathons will each walk away with the race Sh3.5 million.

“We want to continue being among the highest-paying marathons in Africa. With the new sponsor, our determination to match a World Marathon Major such as the Boston Marathon in the future is on course,” Tanui said.

Tanui said organisers were set to invite foreign athletes to compete with their local counterparts.

“Gulf Royal and Economic Global Holding are committed to establishing a state-of-the-art training facility in Eldoret, meeting international standards and making it a hub for high-performance athletic training and talent development.

“We are grateful for all our sponsors who have partnered with us since the inaugural edition in 2018.

“We are on course in terms of preparation for the marathon. The prize money remains Sh3.5 million for the winners and the top 20 will be awarded,” Tanui said.