As the clock ticks towards the Eldoret City Marathon, organisers have said that electronic timing will be used in the event on April 11.
A technical team led by two-time Boston Marathon winner Moses Tanui yesterday said that a world-class marathon is in the offing.
It will be the first marathon in Kenya to use electronic timing, paving the way for recognition by World Athletics.
“Electronic timing will be used in the Eldoret City Marathon. I can confidently tell athletes who will take part in the race that the times they will record in this marathon will be recognised by World Athletics,” Tanui said yesterday in Eldoret during the official launch of participants registration.
He said the electronic timer is already in Eldoret awaiting a technical operator ahead of April 11.
“We are now a world-class race and times recorded in the race can be used for Olympic and World championship qualifications,” Tanui said.
He said there will be strict adherence to Covid-19 protocols which will limit the number of spectators at the finish line.
He said a county health team led by the Health executive Everlyne Rotich “will ensure there is less number of spectators around the finish line.”
Traditionally, athletics enthusiasts jam the finish line to celebrate with winners.
Athletes will be tested for banned substances to uphold integrity, the race director said.
“Top 20 athletes in both the men and women categories will undergo anti-doping tests because we want a clean sport,” he added.
Uasin Gishu Deputy Governor Daniel Chemno said the county allocated Sh15 million to the Sh18 million prize purse.
Chemno thanked sponsors for supporting the race despite the economic challenges occasioned by the Covid-19 pandemic.
He said budding athletes have used the Eldoret City Marathon as a launch pad for global races.
“We want to ensure that the conveyor belt of producing world beaters keep moving so that as the old ones retire, we have new ones being nurtured by this race,” Chemno said.
Standard Group – the official media partner presented a Sh5 million cheque.
Charles Kimathi, Standard Group’s head of corporate affairs said the race will be publicised across the company’s platforms including The Standard newspaper, Standard Digital, KTN News, KTN Home, Radio Maisha, Spice FM and Vybez Radio.
“We will also be present in coming days to mobilise support and ensure the future of upcoming athletes is secured through the Eldoret City Marathon,” Kimathi said.