Organizers of the second edition of Iten International marathon race are set to digitize their results when the race comes up on November 26th in Iten, Elgeyo Marakwet County.
Led by the county’s Sports County Executive Member Purity Koima said that the county is known as the ‘Home of champions’ and they have to ensure that they qualify the statement.
“Because of the big name, it will be good if we have a standard marathon where our local athletes do not use flights to compete but walk away to the race, bringing an international race back home,” she said.
She said that they are involving much expertise in planning a race with international standards as the name suggests.
“We are engaging various partners for the electronic Chip. Be assured that we shall have an international race attracting foreign athletes. We are also in talks to have the 10km, if given a go ahead; we shall do that this year,” said Koima.
She added that all athletes were approved by the Anti-Doping Agency of Kenya (ADAK) before paying them.
“The prize money remains the same where the winners pockets a million shillings, second winner earns 750,000 and third winner 500,000 in both men and women. And it will be better and bigger now that we are in the Athletics Kenya calendar,” she said.
Introduction of electronic timing was welcomed by first edition winner Samuel Naibei.
He said that the introduction of electronic timing to eradicate cheating and official timing.
“We want to have a good race in this region especially with the introduction of electronic timing where registration of start and end time will be published electronically,” he said.
County’s Deputy Governor (DG) Grace Cheserek said that the prize money, just like in the first edition, will run to the 20th finisher in both genders.
“We are happy that our athletes ran clean and none of them was found to have doped. For us, that is a big win and a record to be proud about because being our first marathon and we record such will now be recognized internationally and organizing and running a clean race,” she said.
She said that the aim of starting the race is to get a forum to engage athletes at home.
“We wanted to expose the talents in our county and we winners are these young athletes from across the county and surrounding areas. This tells you that we have a glut of talents and are ready to expose the young talent to the world,” she said.
With many marital conflicts, the DG said that they are also exposing athletes to know their rights and exposing athletes to human rights to be protected.
“We are registering coaches and all camps to know who is here so that Iten remains safe during the day and night not just for our athletes but all residents.