Njoki eyes third straight Tech Run title in Eldoret

Defending champion Christine Njoki is confident of retaining her title at the third edition of the Tech Run scheduled for November 29 in Eldoret.

Njoki, who has won the previous two editions, said she was well prepared for the race and looking forward to another successful outing.

“I am ready to defend my title. I have trained well and am looking forward to the race,” said Njoki.

She said the prize money she earned from the previous editions had helped her advance her athletics career and achieve some of her running goals.

The competition, organised by Eldohub, will this year be part of a three-day programme combining athletics, technology, entrepreneurship and innovation.

Eldohub Chief Executive Officer Margadeline Chepkemoi said the expanded programme was aimed at providing young people with opportunities to showcase their innovations and explore the link between sports, business and technology.

Chepkemoi said the second day would feature the Beyond the Limit Line Innovation Challenge, bringing together participants from the business, sports and technology sectors.

The third day will feature Talent Enterprise and Feedback, where young technology trainees will exhibit innovations developed during their training.

She said Eldohub’s growth reflected the journey of athletes who start competing in village races before rising to international prominence.

“Eldohub started small, just like an athlete who begins running in the village and later becomes a global elite athlete,” she said.

The Tech Run was launched in 2024, drawing inspiration from the North Rift region’s rich athletics heritage and its reputation for producing world-class athletes.

Uasin Gishu Athletics Kenya branch chairman Joseph Boit called on stakeholders to support the fight against doping, warning that the vice threatened Kenya’s reputation in international athletics.

“Doping has become a menace that will tarnish our name. We encourage everyone to support the fight against doping, which has become rampant,” said Boit.

Chicago Marathon champion Amos Kipruto praised Eldohub for creating a platform through which athletes could showcase their talent.

“I give credit to Eldohub for providing this platform to compete. Tech Run has brought a new light and given athletes an opportunity to express their talent,” said Kipruto.

Uasin Gishu County Executive Committee Member for Sports Robert Kemei said the top 10 athletes would receive prize money, with the men’s and women’s winners each set to take home Sh250,000.

Kemei commended Eldohub for supporting athletics and promoting innovation through the competition.

Kenya National Union of Teachers (KNUT) Secretary General Simon Tuwei said teachers had a responsibility to identify and nurture talent among young people.

“As teachers, we run because they taught us to seek talent. When a teacher runs, a generation will run behind them,” said Tuwei.

He praised Eldohub for taking technology and innovation closer to communities, saying the initiative would open up opportunities for young people beyond the traditional athletics pathway.