The long wait finally came to an end as the winners of the third edition of the Eldoret City Marathon feted today.
It was a colourful event as race organizer Moses Tanui, race patron governor Jackson Mandago, his deputy Daniel Chemno, coaches led by Patrick Sang among others attended the awarding ceremony in Eldoret where the winners pocketed kshs 3.5 million for the men and women.
Eldoret City Marathon is the highest paying race in the country, and the only one, in Kenya, recognized among the Abbot World Marathon Majors (WMM).
Tanui, the former Boston marathon champion noted that winners of the 3rd edition had proved that the marathon is the best race to launch their careers as they went on to perform better on the international stage.
“We have been at the lead in planting tree seedlings in selected places to ensure we increase forest cover and reserve water bodies. Over a million trees were planted this year under this initiative,” said Tanui, a former athlete.
The county boss also challenged young and upcoming athletes to always seek advice from successful and veteran colleagues.
He also called on Athletics Kenya to intensify training for the upcoming runners.
“Learn from your colleagues who have succeeded through the years, not necessarily in athletics but other careers. I urge AK and successful athletes to intensify training to the upcoming athletes. I would also want to see active participation for those in the global athletics bodies.
Similar sentiments were shared by Deputy Governor Daniel Chemno, who also expressed the need for all stakeholders to join hands to ensure the environment is conserved.
“Let’s all join hands to conserve the environment because Mother Nature is very unforgiving,” he said.