Despite Kenya’s disappointing performance at the 52nd edition of the Berlin Marathon in the German capital, Iten in Elgeyo Marakwet County was full of life on Sunday as athletes, coaches and fans gathered at social joints to watch the race on big screens.
The viewing party, popularly known as the Viewerthon, was organised with the support of Bank of Africa, which operates the Mwanariadha account designed for athletes.
More than 300 athletes, coaches and fans gathered in Iten town to follow the action as Ethiopia’s athletes dominated the race, leaving Kenya without the expected top honours.
Coach Richard Kanda said the result should not be viewed as a disaster but rather as a wake-up call for Kenya to rethink its training programmes.
Kanda said Berlin remains one of the fastest marathon courses in the world and Kenyan athletes must adapt their preparations if the country is to reclaim its dominance.
He said the level of competition witnessed in Berlin, particularly from Ethiopian athletes, should prompt Kenyan training camps to review their training methods, racing schedules and tactics.
“Berlin has always been one of the fastest courses in the world. We have to adapt and look at how we prepare our athletes if we want to reclaim our dominance,” Kanda said.
The event also provided an opportunity for the Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) to engage athletes on taxation and financial compliance.
KRA representative Elkanah Cheruiyot said the taxman will continue sensitising athletes on taxation while helping them understand how to manage their earnings and investments.
He said KRA monitors how athletes earn their income and guides them on complying with tax requirements, including income generated through investments and businesses.
“When they have investments, we make sure that they are tax compliant in business too. We want them to understand that paying tax is part of building the nation, and we are here to guide them, not to punish them,” Cheruiyot said.
Bank of Africa Sales Manager Malenya Lusimba said the bank is keen to invest in athletics and support athletes through financial products such as the Mwanariadha account.
“We want to make sure they invest wisely. It’s important for us as a bank and as a country because they earn a lot and they can improve the economy of the country,” Lusimba said.
Lusimba also warned athletes against relying on shylocks and other informal lenders, saying high-interest borrowing has left many athletes in financial difficulties and resulted in the loss of property.
“Many athletes have lost property because of borrowing from shylocks at very high interest rates. We are telling them to come to the bank, we will give them affordable loans and guide them on investment,” he said.
The Iten Viewerthon brought together athletes, coaches and fans from one of Kenya’s major distance-running hubs, turning the Berlin Marathon into an opportunity not only to follow the race but also to discuss training, taxation and financial management among athletes.
Top ten Berlin Marathon results 2026
Men’s elite
- Guye Adola (ETH), 2:02:50
- Gemechu Dida Diriba (ETH), 2:03:19
- Gabriel Gerald Geay (TAN), 2:03:59
- Getaneh Molla (ETH), 2:04:55
- Selemon Barega (ETH), 2:04:58
- Asefa Boki (ETH), 2:05:32
- Andamlak Belihu (ETH), 2:05:55
- Shura Kitata (ETH), 2:06:04
- Yuhei Urano (JPN), 2:06:09
- Tadu Abate (ETH), 2:07:16
Women’s elite
- Tigst Assefa (ETH), 2:11:04
- Bedatu Hirpa (ETH), 2:16:53
- Dera Dida (ETH), 2:16:55
- Bekelech Gudeta (ETH), 2:18:58
- Alemitu Tariku (ETH), 2:19:01
- Pascaline Jelagat (KEN), 2:20:23
- Misgane Alemayehu (ETH), 2:20:27
- Ludwina Chepngetich (KEN), 2:21:25
- Evaline Chirchir (KEN), 2:21:32
- Aminet Ahmed (ETH), 2:21:45