Prizes will be paid on time, athletes assured ahead of Eldoret race

Michael Mutai (standing) and Eldoret City Marathon champion Victor Kipchirchir after the fourth edition race in Eldoret, Uasin Gishu County on April,10,2022. [Christopher Kipsang,Standard]

Athletes who will participate in the fifth edition of the Eldoret City Marathon on October 1 have been assured a timely payment of their prize money, organisers said on Monday.

The Local Organising Committee (LOC) said preparations were in top gear, 40 days to the marathon primed to electrify Eldoret once again this year.

Top athletes in both the men's and women’s categories will walk away with Sh3.5 million each in one of Africa’s highest-paying races.

“We assure our athletes that the prize money will not be delayed in this edition and moving forward,” LOC chairman Andrew Chelogoi said.

He said a team charged with the preparation of the fifth edition of the Eldoret City Marathon is working round the clock for a better marathon in October.

Chelogoi further assured athletics enthusiasts that the 5km fun race will be bigger this year.

“We are urging our corporate sponsors and running groups across the country to register more participants in the fun race,” Chelogoi said.

Athletes have been registering for the 42km contest in major training bases and towns such as Eldoret, Iten, and Kapsabet with plans to enlist elites in Kericho, Baringo, and Nairobi among other areas ahead of the showdown.

The race director Moses Tanui unveiled Eldoret City Marathon’s sponsor, Gulf Royal and Economic Global Holding on August 9.

Tanui said was working closely with ADAK for faster release of anti-doping test results.

“An anti-doping awareness that will bring together athletes from regions is scheduled to take place ahead of the race. It is a requirement that we work with ADAK,” the two-time Boston Marathon winner said.

He continued: “This time, the prize money will be paid on time. We are already in talks with ADAK for a faster release of test results. We are also in touch with Athletics Kenya and we have given them our assurance.”

Also on the LOC’s focus ahead of October is a new marathon route that showcases Eldoret, a town that has over the years become the world’s mecca of athletics.

A team of athletics coaches such as former 800m Commonwealth champion Japheth Kimutai, former World Half Marathon gold medallist Joseph Cheromei and Richard Metto among others has been assembled to work on the race’s technical aspects.

Climate Action activities will be marked in line with the race's tradition from the inaugural edition in 2018.

The October 1 marathon will be aired live on KTN. Last year, more than 1,000 athletes took part in the annual race.