The Eldoret City Marathon, in partnership with the Gulf Royal and Economic Global Holding, is set to conduct this year’s athletic event that will feature international athletes on October 1, 2023.
Addressing the press in Eldoret, Eldoret City Marathon Director Moses Tanui pointed out that the collaboration marks a new era for the marathon, adding that they are thrilled to invite athletes and participants from various parts of the world to join in the extraordinary event.
He noted that the major partners, Gulf Royal and Economic Global Holding, under the leadership of Sheikh Majid Al Qassimi, a member of the ruling family of Sharjah, are renowned for their commitment to community development and nurturing talents.
“As part of their corporate social responsibility to humanity, Gulf Royal and Economic Global Holding have pledged to extend their wide range of benefits and helping hand to the local communities in Kenya where the event will take place,” noted Tanui.
Other main sponsors Dana Baby Products and LUV personal care products, both renowned brands under the Gulf Royal and Economic Global Holding, will be prominently featured in the marathon, where official participants’ uniforms and athletes’ outfits will bear the logos of the two brands.
Gulf Royal and Economic Global Holding will award prize money for both the men’s and women’s categories as a way to recognise all the winners’ hard work and determination for the noble event.
“The sponsorship is a testament to their dedication to growing and positioning talents within the athletic fraternity,” he said.
The director affirmed that all participants would receive medals upon completion of the marathon, with the first 50 individuals to cross the finish line receiving a blanket each.
“The prize money for this year will be the same as last year, where the first person will receive Sh3.5 million and we will pay 20 athletes, both men and women,” added Tanui.
With the theme of climate Action, Tanui indicated that the major partners are actively participating in tree planting and environmental conservation initiatives to make the earth greener and more sustainable for future generations.
He further revealed that the Gulf Royal and Economic Global Holding, after the initial partnership, is looking forward to establishing a long-term partnership with the Eldoret City Marathon through establishment of a state-of-the-art training facility in Eldoret meeting international standards and making it a hub for advanced athletic training and talent development.
“The Eldoret City Marathon is set to be an unforgettable event, fuelled by the passion and support of Gulf Royal and Economic Global Holding and his highness Sheikh Majid Al Qassimi. Together, we are paving the way for a brighter future of athletics in Kenya and beyond,” alluded Tanui.
Tanui lauded all the sponsors of the marathon for their partnership since the inception of the Eldoret City Marathon in 2018, as they continued to walk the journey of championing climate action on the continent through athletics and also transforming lives.
He announced that registration for the marathon is ongoing for Sh1500 beginning Wednesday, August 9, as he encouraged all the participants to keep on training.
The participants were urged to visit the marathon’s website, www.eldoretcitymarathon.co.ke, for more inquiries.
The two-time Boston Marathon champion praised the Eldoret City Marathon as one of the marathons that tapped talents of athletes who were not able to travel far and away by giving them the opportunity to showcase their talents locally.
“It is a marathon in which we really want to tap talents in order to produce new champions. The future is bright and this marathon will outlive us, the founders, like any other marathon in the world. That is why we are pushing to get new partners so that we can take this marathon to the next level and I hope in future that we will pay like any other marathon in the world,” he said.
He revealed that their vision as the founders is to build this marathon to be one of the richest marathons in Africa and to compete with the likes of the Boston and London marathons.
He further hinted at sports tourism, an idea he has been championing, and said that the marathon presents a better opportunity to implement the idea where people will come to run with the champions and then go to the national parks to see the Big 5 wild animals, which Kenya is also known for besides athletics.
“Kenya is known for athletics and for The Big 5. Why don’t we merge them together so that we have people coming to run with the champions and then go to our national parks to see The Big 5? That is what we are championing as the Eldoret City Marathon,” he explained.
In line with climate action, he said the marathon is intending to set aside money for tree seedlings to be planted to counter effects of climate change and to ensure riparian lands are restored and conserved to ensure clean and fresh air and a favourable atmosphere for athletes training activities.
“We must conserve to see that at any time, we have the best climate around this region from South Rift, Central Rift, and North Rift, where athletes train, to ensure that our forests are kept and our athletes train in a conducive environment,” said Tanui.
By Ekuwam Sylvester and Judy Too
