Preparations are in full swing in Eldoret, Kenya’s youngest city, as excitement builds for the highly anticipated Eldoret City Marathon happening tomorrow.
According to Elijah Mwangi, Secretary General of the Sports Department, over 1,500 athletes have already registered, with more expected before the starting gun goes off. Organizers are confident that this year’s event will set a new benchmark for excellence.
In a historic move, Kenyan organizers have partnered with Ethiopian marathon experts, tapping into their 24 years of experience. A Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) was signed to ensure that the Eldoret City Marathon matches the prestige of Ethiopia’s internationally acclaimed events.
Deputy Speaker of the National Assembly, Gladys Boss Shollei, has also been instrumental in supporting the marathon. She confirmed that prize money for the winners is fully secured, emphasizing the marathon’s role in nurturing the next generation of running champions. Shollei’s efforts align closely with the Kenya Kwanza government’s pledge to develop local talents.
Infrastructure development is also playing a key part in Kenya’s broader sports vision. Upgrades at Kipchoge Keino Stadium and Kapsabet Stadium are already underway, positioning the country for future success, including hosting duties for the upcoming AFCON tournaments. Authorities have assured the public that construction will be completed on time and to the highest standards.
To further support young athletes, the government has launched a national sports academy initiative across all 290 constituencies. The first phase covers 37 locations, with contractors currently being vetted. This bold move will create dedicated training centers for various sports disciplines across Kenya.
However, alongside the optimism, there’s a call for caution. Mwangi raised concerns over the threat of doping, which continues to jeopardize Kenya’s global sporting reputation. He urged athletes to maintain discipline, integrity, and professionalism, warning that strict action will be taken against anyone caught in doping activities as per President William Ruto’s directive.
Meanwhile, Eldoret’s atmosphere is electric. Registration numbers continue to rise as the city prepares to close major roads to accommodate race activities. Although Ethiopia currently leads in marathon registrations globally — boasting 55,000 runners compared to Kenya’s 15,000 — expectations are high for a record-breaking turnout tomorrow.
The Eldoret City Marathon 2025 isn’t just about the race; it’s about opportunity — for young talents to shine, for national pride to soar, and for Kenya to cement its place as a global athletics powerhouse.
