An Iconic International Marathon in Iten was long overdue

That is Justin Lagat’s characteristic on the brand new Iten Marathon, which was held on December 18, 2022. 

Lastly, Iten, “the Dwelling of Champions,” has established a world marathon that may bolster its stature because the world’s most vital long-distance working coaching vacation spot in the entire world.

Given the variety of nationalities of runners coaching in Iten, the time to have an iconic marathon right here was overdue, and the county authorities of Elgeyo Marakwet lastly held its inaugural marathon this previous weekend, on the 18th of December 2022.

Similar to the Boston Marathon, the marathon was on a point-to-point course. Early within the morning, runners had been ferried to a place to begin at Chororget, which is round 42km from Iten city. This may be nice for the runners to tour the course earlier than the race.

The inaugural winners for the lads’s and ladies’s races had been Samuel Naibei (2:08:43) and Caroline Jepchirchir (2:28:33), respectively.

Massive center and long-distance stars graced the occasion, led by the best of an all-time marathon runner, Eliud Kipchoge. Additionally current had been Geoffrey Kamworor (a number of world cross nation and half marathon champion), Joycline Jepkosgei (London and New York Metropolis Marathon champion), Ezekiel Kemboi (3000m steeplechase Olympic and world champion),  Brimin Kipruto,  Sharon Lokedi, and Daniel Komen, amongst others.

On its first version, the marathon had greater than 500 athletes collaborating. Greater than twenty-seven of the individuals had been overseas athletes presently coaching in Iten. Flags from totally different nations on the end line represented the totally different nationalities that participated within the occasion.

The route that runs throughout the very best factors of Elgeyo Marakwet County, alongside the Rift Valley highlands, affords some nice views alongside the course and helps put some glorious vacationer attraction websites –lovely waterfalls, Sport Parks, pure forests, the Lornah Kiplagat Excessive Altitude Coaching Camp and unbelievable viewpoints- on the map.

Sponsors got here in from totally different sectors of the financial system. For instance, there have been the Kenya Business Financial institution, the Normal Media Group (that aired the occasion stay on their KTN TV), the Kass Media, the Boresha Sacco, the Bio Meals Firm, the Lapfund, the Kerio Valley Growth Authority (KVDA),  the Elgeyo Marakwet County Meeting, and the Coca-Cola, amongst others.

“We began it small, and we hope to make it greater within the years forward,” Wisley Rotich, the Elgeyo Marakwet County Governor, wrote after the occasion.