Athletes who hoped to participate in the 2023 Eldoret City Marathon can now start their preparations.
The marathon has since inception been hosted in April, but following delays in the announcing of a date for the fifth edition, there have been fears it would not be held this year.
But after a long wait, a date has now been set for the marathon rated among the highest paying in Africa.
Addressing the press at the Eldoret Sports Club on April 5, 2023, Eldoret City Marathon Founder and Director Moses Tanui said the race will be held on June 25, 2023.
It had earlier been expected to be held on April 16, 2023.
However, with only under two weeks to that date, Tanui, a former athlete said that the initial date will be used to plant trees.
The marathon has been supporting climate action initiatives. All through the past four editions, partners and stakeholders have been planting trees ahead of the event.
“The organizers, partners, and sponsors of the marathon will plant trees at Kapseret Forest on 16th April, the original date of the marathon,” Tanui announced.
New route
Meanwhile, the race director said the fifth edition of the Eldoret City Marathon will have a new route within a 5-kilometre radius of Eldoret town centre.
The route has already been developed ahead of the marathon.
During the fourth edition, the race started along Eldoret-Ziwa road, just after Kuinet, with the finish line in Eldoret town, along the Zion Mall Parking lot.
Tanui further announced that the marathon has a new international partner – Golazo Right Here, that will come on board as the new primary partner.
With the new date for the fifth edition of the Eldoret City Marathon set, registration is expected to be opened on April 10, 2023.
It is only last month that winners of the fourth edition were paid following a technical hitch in the release of the funds from sponsors.
The marathon has a Ksh18 million total prize money, with winners of both men’s and women’s races getting Ksh3.5 million each.
