New date set for Eldoret City Marathon.

The third edition of the Eldoret City Marathon will be held on June 6, 2021, Governor Jackson Mandago EGH has announced.

The marathon had initially been scheduled for April 11th but was postponed following Covid-19 restrictions that the government imposed in a bid to curb the spread of the Coronavirus pandemic.

While announcing the new date, Mandago who is the marathon’s patron thanked the government for easing on the restrictions as well as allowing sports activities to resume.


“The move to allow sports does not mean we negate the fact that we have to adhere to guidelines given by the Ministry of Health,” the Governor said.

“As a county, we shall be very keen on ensuring the marathon complies with the guidelines,” he added.

By the time the marathon was to be held in April, 326 athletes had been registered to participate and the county boss wants all that have not yet registered to do so.

Billed as the highest-paying marathon in Africa, the Eldoret City marathon is this year set to debut electronic timing that will enable time posted by athletes to be recognized internationally.

With the event being among the world majors, Mandago now wants the National Olympics Committee (NOC-Kenya) to consider using the marathon to pick a team that will represent the country in the Tokyo Olympics later this year.

“The course is AK certified, the marathon is among the world majors hence there is no reason why the marathon cannot be used as the qualifier for the Olympics,” Mandago said.

The theme for the Eldoret City Marathon is ‘Climate Action’

Race Director Moses Tanui said everything is in place and they are ready to host the event – especially debuting the electronic timing.

With the race being used to champion for ‘Climate Action’, Uasin Gishu County Executive in charge of Environment Mary Njogu said they are planning to plant at least a million tree seedlings this year.

Njogu said they have identified 17 TVET institutions and other areas where the tree seedlings will be planted.

Sports CECM Joseph Kurgat welcomed the new date for the marathon noting that many athletes had suffered during the Coronavirus period and that with the reopening of sports activities, they are set to get relief – as they depend on races to earn a livelihood.

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