The residents of Uasin Gishu have submitted their views on the proposed county sponsored marathon.
The county government of Uasin Gishu together with other stakeholders including the Athletics Kenya (AK), committee of sports and marathon and others held a public forum at the county hall, Eldoret town to gather public views that will inform the inception of a county sponsored marathon slated for August to promote the county upon the grant of charter to be elevated into city status.
Speaking as he presided over the event Uasin Gishu Deputy Governor Eng. John Barorot noted that the public suggestions would have great impact to the department of sports and Athletics at large that will inform the way the event will be managed to make it last for up to 100 years to come.
“How should we go about coming up with this race and how should we structure it so that it can be there in the years to come, I want us to open up a comment section to share the ideas and to debate on the views to enable us have a clear map on establishing this race,” said the Deputy Governor.
Eng. Barorot called on the AK to give directions on the calendar of events following the types of races, the time they take place and other factors so that when suggestions are made it should be within the scope of the calendar.
“The marathon is intended to coincide with the issuance of the city status charter around August this year for it to be City marathon, “he said.
In her remarks, Sports and ICT County Executive, Eng. Lucy Ngendo noted that the collective responsibility and ownership of the participants in giving out their views for it to be recorded will enable the department to formulate the Athletics policy for the county.
The participants were invited to give suggestions on the date, name, theme, the route, how publicity would be done, the organization management, mode of registration, type of race sponsors and curtain raiser events of the marathon and in addition how the stakeholders would be included in the marathon.
“This is more of an international marathon and the business community should also be considered as stakeholders in the marathon and everyone should be given an equal opportunity to participate. By working together in a collective responsibility, it will be very easy to attract the visitors from the different parts of the country, ” said Eng. Ngendo.
The members of the county assembly led by deputy Speaker Sarah Malel assured the county administration of their full support in terms of policy legislation and enacting into law the county Athletics Policy.
Athletics Kenya Secretary for Uasin Gishu James Lagat noted that the marathon should follow the Athletics events calendar and it should be a half marathon since it is in its initial stages.
He noted that they will be writing a letter to the National office requesting for a grant permission to hold the race since no race can be hosted without the authorization from the athletics body.
The members of the public gave varied views in support of the county sponsored race.
Led by Cosmas Bii, the residents suggested that the event may be called Eldoret Wareng International Marathon, Eldoret Sisibo International Marathon among other names as they suggested that it should not miss out the name of the city to be, Eldoret as a way to market it to the world.
They suggested that the Mode of registration should be online and per ward so as to recruit and promote youth talents from the grassroots.
“In terms of the date, once Eldoret is declared a city then we can take the suggestions of getting the right date and the name can be Marathon of Legends, since most international marathon races have been won by the legends of North Rift regions,” said Cosmas Bii.
On his part, Samuel Biwott, one of the legendary marathoners from the region alluded that the race should have themes like transforming lives through races, health and wellness since the county has been in the frontline in terms of fighting cancer over a period of time.
By Ekuwam Sylvester and Noela Bonnett
