Organisers of multi-million Eldoret City marathon have today announced the postponement of the third edition of Eldoret City marathon until further notice due to the coronavirus pandemic.
with prize money costing kshs 18,0030,000 where top 20 finishers are rewarded, race director and former Boston Marathon champion Moses Tanui and Central Rift Athletics Kenya chairman Abraham Mutai said the race which was to be held on April 19th 2020 will be held in latter date that will be announced.
The former 10,000m world silver medalist said they have so far received over 100 athletes who had registered to compete in two week’s time but said the talk to ensure there is sanity and transparency.
“Until today, we had over 100 registered runners ready for the race but we will be talking to them for an amicable solution. Since the race has not been cancelled we will find the way forward. But for now, we only advise them for follow the government directive,” he said.
The two time Boston marathon champion: “The race has not been cancelled but postponed until further notice. I want to urge them to train as much as possible individually. I know they may not have money for training because they are used in training in sponsored camps,” said Tanui.
He added that they took too long to announce the postponed as they were still weighing and monitoring how the pandemic was going to affect their plans.
Back to the postponement of the race, he said athletes should adhere to the government directive since the whole world is fighting the pandemic.
Mutai noted that they care for the welfare of athletes and urged them to train further so that when the normally returns, they should be fit for the challenge. He also asked the president to consider athletes.
“We are requesting the president to assist athlete just like he did to musicians. He should also assist both locally and internationally to ensure their continued lives,” he said.