By Baraka Simba 
Veteran athletes from the North Rift region have criticised Athletics Kenya (AK) over its decision to leave the Eldoret City Marathon out of its competition calendar, warning that the move could jeopardise the careers of emerging athletes.
The athletes, led by former 3,000m steeplechase runner Wilson Boit Kipketer, expressed their disappointment during a press briefing in Eldoret, arguing that the marathon has played a significant role in supporting local athletes over the past seven years.
Kipketer said the competition had provided an important financial lifeline to hundreds of runners through its lucrative prize money, helping them sustain their careers and improve their livelihoods.
He revealed that more than 280 athletes had benefited from the event, warning that its exclusion from this year’s Athletics Kenya calendar would deny many upcoming runners a valuable opportunity to earn income and showcase their abilities.
The former athlete challenged Athletics Kenya to explain the circumstances surrounding the decision, insisting that personal differences and political interests should not be allowed to interfere with opportunities available to athletes.
The group also raised concerns over the leadership and governance of Athletics Kenya, questioning the continued stay of some officials in office and alleging that court orders had been used to extend their tenure.
They further accused certain federation officials of having conflicts of interest, calling for greater transparency and accountability in the management of athletics affairs.
Former world champion Christopher Kosgei echoed the concerns, saying the decision threatened the ambitions of young athletes from the North Rift, a region widely recognised as one of Kenya’s leading sources of distance-running talent.
Kosgei questioned the criteria used by Athletics Kenya to select competitions for its official calendar, arguing that events supporting grassroots and emerging athletes deserved greater consideration.
He called on the government to intervene and address what he described as governance challenges within the federation, warning that unresolved disputes could negatively affect the country’s athletics development.
Eldoret City Marathon Race Director Moses Tanui also criticised Athletics Kenya over the exclusion, accusing the governing body of showing bias against the event.
The Eldoret City Marathon has grown into an important platform for nurturing athletic talent and providing financial opportunities to runners, particularly those from the North Rift region.
Its exclusion has therefore raised concerns among veteran athletes and sports stakeholders, who fear that emerging runners could lose an important pathway to financial independence and professional growth.
The athletes are now urging Athletics Kenya to reconsider its position and ensure that decisions concerning the sport prioritise athletes’ welfare and the long-term development of athletics in Kenya.
Eldoret Leo 
Robert Mutasi