Reigning Discovery Kenya cross country champion Christine Njoki and fellow titleholder John Lomon have confirmed their participation in the upcoming EldoHub TechRun 10km Road Race, scheduled for November 30 in Eldoret, Uasin Gishu County.
The second edition of the race is expected to attract a larger field of elite and amateur runners, following the announcement of an increased prize purse from Ksh 790,000 to Ksh 1,210,000. The winners in both the men’s and women’s categories will now take home Ksh 200,000, up from last year’s Ksh 150,000. Additionally, the top ten finishers in each category will receive cash prizes.
Njoki, who dominated the inaugural event with a time of 32:35.3, expressed confidence ahead of the title defense. The versatile athlete, who has since shone in several competitions nationwide, is optimistic about her preparation.
“My target this year is to defend my title following last year’s victory. Preparations for the second edition are at a high notch. I know it won’t be easy, especially with the increased prize money attracting many top athletes, but I will give it my best,” Njoki said.
She also shared how last year’s winnings made a difference in her life—helping pay school fees for her siblings and purchasing land for her mother in Cherangany, Trans Nzoia County.
In the 2024 race, Njoki finished ahead of Maurine Cheroitich (32:53.3) and Christine Chesiro (33:02.2).
On the men’s side, Lomon, who clinched victory in 29:19.9, is also gearing up for a tough defense. He narrowly edged out Bernard Lang’at (29:34.4) and Cornelius Kemboi (29:47.9) in last year’s competition.
“The increased prize money will attract top athletes, but as a defending champion, I will be here to defend my title,” said Lomon during the race launch.
Speaking during the event launch, EldoHub CEO Magdalene Chepkemoi highlighted the race’s evolving mission beyond athletics. She announced the enhanced rewards while reaffirming the organization’s commitment to combining sports, innovation, and youth empowerment.
“When we started this race last year, it was a local event. Now it has grown into a national event. We’ve increased the winner’s prize to Ksh 200,000 to make it more competitive,” she said.
“We are using this platform to promote fitness, mental health, entrepreneurship, and support innovators. After the race, we’ll host a summit to discuss AI, technology, investment, and more.”
Chepkemoi emphasized that the initiative aims to create an enabling environment for the youth to thrive not just in sports but also in technology and innovation.
Newly appointed CECM for Sports in uasin Gishu County Robert Kemei lauded the need for the athletes to compete in various races to support their career journey.
Athletics Kenya Uasin Gishu County Chairman, Joseph Boit, lauded EldoHub for its continued investment in youth and community through sports.
“They are doing an excellent job encouraging youth to engage in sports and innovation. We expect great performances not just in running, but also in field events with better access to technology. What we lack is proper equipment to elevate them to the next level,” Boit noted.
With just two months to go, the EldoHub TechRun 10km promises to be a thrilling combination of competitive athletics and visionary innovation—bringing together elite athletes, fun runners, and young innovators under one platform.