280 athletes benefit from Eldoret City Marathon as veterans question AK snub

At least 280 athletes have directly benefited from the Eldoret City Marathon since its inaugural edition through to the sixth edition, with veteran athletes now challenging Athletics Kenya (AK) to explain why the race has been excluded from the federation’s competition calendar.

Former Boston Marathon champion Moses Tanui questioned the omission, saying the race has played a significant role in nurturing talent and providing a platform for emerging athletes, particularly in the North Rift region.

Tanui said they had written to Athletics Kenya seeking the inclusion of the marathon in its calendar but were yet to receive a response.

He questioned the federation’s commitment to supporting competitions that contribute to the growth of athletics, arguing that AK should recognise and support races that create opportunities for athletes.

“Eldoret City Marathon has built a platform for many athletes to progress in their careers. We wrote letters to Athletics Kenya and Abbott, but only one entity responded. We question why Eldoret City Marathon is not in the calendar,” said Tanui.

He noted that Abbott had already included the race in its calendar and urged Athletics Kenya to recognise its contribution by incorporating it into the national competition schedule.

Former athlete Wilson Boit Kipketer said excluding the race would be a disservice to athletes, noting that about 280 runners had directly benefited from the competition since its inception.

Former world steeplechase champion Christopher Koskei said athletes from the North Rift region had gained significantly from the marathon, which he credited with nurturing local talent and creating opportunities for runners to advance their careers.

The veterans want Athletics Kenya to reconsider its position on the race and address the governance concerns they have raised, saying its inclusion would help sustain opportunities for athletes and strengthen the country’s athletics ecosystem.