Top stars register for Eldoret City Marathon
Athletics
By
Stephen Rutto
| Sep 20, 2023
Top stars are ready to battle for titles as well as the rich prize money at this year's edition of the Eldoret City Marathon.
Apart from the defending champion in the women's marathon Emily Chebet, a strong field is getting ready in what is shaping up as one of the hotly contested races in Kenya this year.
The marathon and fun run are set for October 1.
Registration for the fifth edition will strictly close on September 27, just three days before the big clash.
The big names will be racing alongside their experienced counterparts who will be seeking to make a name in the Eldoret showdown.
Levy Matebo, the winner of the 2011 Barcelona Marathon features in the men's elite list.
The 33-year-old athlete who has not been in the limelight for years is taking an impressive CV in road racing to Eldoret.
The Trans Nzoia-based marathoner ran 2:05:16 in his runner-up finish at the Frankfurt Marathon in 2011.
Several upcoming marathoners including Daniel Masila from Machakos and Elisha Korir from Eldoret will also be in the mix.
Joining Emily Chebet in the chase for glory at the Eldoret City Marathon will be former Barcelona Half Marathon champion Sandra Chebet.
Sandra from Kericho is a decorated 10km athlete who will be making her marathon debut in Eldoret.
Under her belt, Sandra Chebet has Valencia (Spain) and Beach to Beacon (USA) 10km titles under her belt.
She won the 2021 Barcelona Half Marathon in 1:07:12 and hopes to join the list of athletes who have conquered the streets of Eldoret and went ahead to write history on the global stage.
Earlier this month, the reigning champion Emily Chebet confirmed that she was ready to defend her title.
"My aim is to win this year's marathon. I am thankful to the race organizers for the annual marathon," Chebet said during the official media launch for the 2023 edition of the Eldoret City Marathon at the Eka Hotel.
Double Eldoret City marathon champion Victor Kipchirchir told Standard Sport that he will be cheering a number of his training mates on October 1. He has tuned his sights on this year's edition of the Amsterdam marathon set for October 15.
"This year, I will be watching the race closely. If possible, I will be at the finish line to witness a new champion. I will be taking part in the Amsterdam Marathon. Eldoret City marathon prepared me for the top international race and I encourage more local and international athletes to compete on the streets of Eldoret on October 1," the 2021 and 2022 champion said.
Meanwhile, plans to stage another international marathon are on top gear.
Organisers of the fifth edition of the Eldoret City Marathon said they were pulling all stops for a thrilling showdown.
Uasin Gishu reported that the registration of 1,000 athletes that the county is sponsoring was ongoing.
Nandi County said it was sponsoring more than 130 elite athletes for the 42km race.
Race director, two-time Boston marathon winner Moses Tanui, said a tree planting exercise in line with the race's Climate Action is set for Friday. The event will take place at Eldoret Special School.
Verification of the new marathon course by three-time Boston Marathon champion Ibrahim Hussein is scheduled for later this week.
The new course starts at White Highlands Inn in the town's Central Business District while the finish line will be at Eldoret Central Primary School grounds near Zion Mall.