Eldoret city marathon 4th edition champions, who finished in the top 20 in both the women’s and men’s 42.195KM races were feted in a colourful ceremony graced by Uasin Gishu Governor Jonathan Bii and Athletics Kenya officials.
Victor Kipchirchir and Emily Chebet clinched the men’s and women’s titles in times of 2:13:10 and 2:29:58 respectively and both were awarded cash prizes of Sh 3.5million each.
Uasin Gishu Governor Jonathan Bii, speaking at the ceremony said the Eldoret City Marathon has emerged as a take off point for local talents to flourish, where upcoming athletes are developed and sent to conquer the world.
He said as a way to identify and grow talents, the county government was undertaking grassroot sporting activities to give opportunities for the youths to show and exhibit their talents.
“We are currently advocating for commercialization of sports so that our youth can profit from their talents under the slogan Talanta na Hela,” the county boss noted.
Bii advised the athletes to embrace saving culture. “Sportsmen and women need to consider investing as a priority in their careers since, like any other employment, sports has a retirement period,” Bii said.
“Our administration is working to find ways to partner with stakeholders to sensitize sports men and women on the need to secure their social security for retirement,” he said.
He added that the Eldoret City marathon was fundamentally formed to promote sports and push the campaign on climate action by planting as many trees as possible as this provides a good condition and cleanses the air that “our bodies need for quality health.”
“Since the race started in 2018, under the program over 4 million trees have been planted across the country,” he said.
The chief officer for youth and sports, Nahum Jelagat added that her department will work to implement the governor’s youth and talent empowerment agenda to develop youth economic advancement.
Race organisers confirmed that the fifth edition of the Eldoret City Marathon will be staged on April 10 next year.
Source: Kenya News Agency