Eleven-month wait over for Eldoret Marathon winners

Winners of the 2022 Eldoret City Marathon will finally receive their pay on Friday 10 March in an award ceremony set to be held at the City of Eldoret as the organizers officially announce the dates of the 2023 edition.

The 2022 edition was held on 9 April. Victor Kipchirchir won the men's category after crossing the line in 2:13:10 while Emily Chebet Kipchumba took the women's crown by finishing the course in 2:28:58. They all hoped to walk away with Ksh 3.5 million shillings.

Speaking during a press briefing at the Eldoret Sports Club, Race Director Moses Tanui expressed regrets for the delay, blaming the tough economic times and prevailing technical challenges.

He confirmed that the monies will be paid on Friday during the ceremony.

The two-time Boston Marathon winner also said that this year's prize monies will also be announced on the same day.

“I want to tell the athletes who participated in the 2022 edition that as a career athlete, it was not my wish to delay. It was a technical issue, but bear with us,” Tanui told the media adding that the prizes would be given in a ceremony at the Uasin Gishu County headquarters.

The current Uasin Gishu County Government under the leadership of Jonathan Chelilim Bii is expected to announce its sponsorship of the 2023 edition.

The County has been a great boost to this tournament which attracts hundreds of athletes from the county since 2018. Last year, it sponsored the prize monies.

There's no doubt that there have been queries on the marathon after the delay in payment. Tanui addressed this saying that the historical marathon was held even during the pandemic, and it is not done yet.

“During the Covid-19 pandemic period, we managed to stage the marathon. I think it was the first race in the country to be staged after Covid-19. I promise that the marathon will continue and we will have it forever, like other international marathons,” Tanui said.

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The former 10,000m champion who is also among the founders of the marathon insisted on the importance of the same in stirring up Eldoret as the ‘Home of Champions’.

Some talents in the county are not fully utilized because of lack of such tournaments. He urged athletes to come out and compete in large numbers.

“Eldoret City Marathon will outlive us, the founders. I want to tell Kenyans and our athletes that the event belongs to you. As the director, I am only the facilitator. This is the marathon that gained global recognition after it was recognized by Abbott World Marathon Major series.

Eldoret is the hub of champions. It is where we manufacture the athletics champions. We started this marathon because we consider the athletes that have been training for many years without securing a chance to compete in international races,” Tanui said.

The former athlete was also pleased that the marathon gave birth to athletes who have represented Kenya in global competitions. Such athletes include World Marathon silver medalist Judith Korir.

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“I am happy because the marathons and other road races held in Eldoret have benefitted and made champions out of our athletes. Others have gone ahead to major marathons across the globe. To be a champion, you have to be exposed, and the Eldoret City Marathon is the race that will expose our athletes to international races," Tanui concluded.

2022 Eldoret City Marathon select results

Men

1. Victor Kipchirchir 2:13:10

2. Michael Mutai 2:13:23

3. Josphat Kipkoech Bett 2:13:58

4. Timothy Kosgei 2:14:34

5. Felix Kiptoo Kirwa 2:14:38

Women

1. Emily Chebet Kipchumba 2:29:58

2. Shyline Jepkorir Toroitich 2:30:13

3. Lilian Jelagat 2:30:23

4. Emily Jepkemoi 2:30:52

5. Jackline Chelal30 2:32:21