2019 Eldoret City marathon champion Valary Aiyabei will be facing off with Lucy Cheruiyot at the 9th edition of Safaricom Iten 10km road race set for this Sunday in Iten as Safaricom announces a Ksh.1.3 million sponsorship deal for the race.
Jemeli won the title last year and will be defending her title against Cheruiyot who finished second.
The former Barcelona marathon winner will be joining other athletes for the annual race that starts at Bugar area, in the outskirts of Iten town to end in Iten, the headquarter of Elgeyo Marakwet County.
Jemeli won back to back title at the Standard Chartered half marathon this year will be making another first to win two Iten 10km titles in a row.
Last year, the reigning Beijing marathon champion won the title in 33:18.8 ahead of Lucy Cheruiyot (33:27.2) and Lydia Njeri for the podium positions in 33:34.8.
The 2014 Kass marathon champion said that her preparation is on top ahead of the event that will be run in the county Christened Home of Champions due to a large number of athletes who train and win medals across the world.
“My training is good hoping to retain my title which may not be easy for me. The challenge is real as you well know that any athlete who wins the race can win any race in the world,” said Jemeli.
“The local races have been a pillar in my career and I want to stamp the authority in the races run around as a good build-up, speed-work and endurance,” added the 2018 Kapnarok half-marathon winner.
Last year, the reigning Beijing marathon champion won the title in 33:18.8 ahead Cheruiyot (33:27.2) and Lydia Njeri for the podium positions in 33:34.8. \
Cheruiyot said the competition will be stiff after losing last year title.
“The race will be stiff but am ready. I know Valary (Jemeli) will be my greatest competitor. I believe in my training to offer great results,” said Cheruiyot.
But a new champion will be made after defending champion Abraham Kiptum is suspended after he tested positive for banned substances during the London marathon in April 2018.
The winner will pocket Ksh. 50,000, with second and third placed finishers pocketing Ksh.40, 000 and Ksh.30, 000 respectively.
“It’s such a joy to see great champions such as defending champion Aiyabei who is a former Barcelona marathon winner and Prague half marathon champion Joan Chelimo who were discovered at this race go on to represent Kenya at international meets. Through our vision of Transforming Live we seek to continuously support the sports fraternity in discovering grassroots talent,” said Michael Joseph, CEO-Safaricom.
Elgeyo Marakwet County which hosts Iten town has long been known as the home of champions and is now also renowned as a top international training Centre for elite runners from all over the world.
The race categories are 10kms, 2kms fun race for seniors, and 2kms race for children