Big names feature as Eldoret City Marathon draws near

Participants in the 42 km during the Eldoret City Marathon first edition on April 21, 2024. [File, Standard]

The hardest part of training is done and the focus is now on competing in the sixth edition of Eldoret City Marathon on Sunday.

Experienced long distance athletes and their upcoming counterparts will be eyeing glory in one of the highest paying marathons in Africa.

The entry list, by yesterday, was full of decorated road runners, and even a bigger number of upstarts looking to rewrite the rule book.

An approximate 3,000 participants are expected to compete on the streets of Eldoret on Sunday, with many of the athletes racing to make a name as they join a list of champions who have walked away with the handsome prize money, every year since the inaugural edition in 2018.

Big names among them Eric Onchari, a 2023 Wuxi 42km champion and the 2022 Enschede Marathon runner-up as well as former double African silver medallist Sandrefelis Chebet Tuei have signed up for the 2025 Eldoret City Marathon race as they gear up for global contests later in the year.

Several upstarts are also getting ready for what is slowly shaping up into a nail biting athletics competition in Eldoret.

The stage is also for a massive 10km fun run where families and corporate will walk and race to the finish line to watch the champions cut the tape.

Michael Kirui, for instance, will be on the streets of Eldoret, with an ambition of finishing in the top 20, the prize award bracket and to get spotted by a sports manager.

“I took part in the 2013 Iten Marathon and settled for position 23. I have competed in the Standard Chart Marathon and finished in the top 50. I have prepared well this time and I hope to impress this time,” Kirui, who trains in Kericho, told Standard Sports yesterday.

He said his training was adequate but indicated that he anticipated a strong challenge from counterparts in Kericho, who were also preparing to participate in the Eldoret City Marathon extravaganza.

“My other aim is to perform well in Eldoret and get a manager because I yearn for my first race abroad this year. It is my prayer that I get a manager and take my career forward by exploring opportunities locally and internationally. My training is now complete and I am just getting ready for the race on Sunday,” Kirui said.

He will be taking part at the Standard Chartered Marathon after the Eldoret City Marathon event.

Nancy Jepleting, who trains in Kapsait and who draws her inspiration from training mates such as world road running half marathon bronze medallist Catherine Reline among other big stars, says she will do her best in the race run in the City of Champions.