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2023 Iten International Marathon winners awarded, 2024 dates set
Reading Time: 3min | Sat. 18.05.24. | 10:30
1530 athletes took part in the 2023 edition which happened on November 12, with 290 competing in the 42km elite marathon
The organizers of the Iten International Marathon have announced the dates for the event’s third edition.
The marathon will be staged on 17 November 2024, and will start in Chororget in Keiyo South, ending at Iten town.
The new dates were announced after the winners of the second edition were awarded in a colorful ceremony held on Friday in Iten.
Winners of the 42km race went home with Sh1 million each.
A total of Ksh 7.4 million was paid to the athletes as prize money.
1530 athletes took part in the 2023 edition which happened on November 12.
Among the over 1500 athletes, 290 competed in the 42km elite showdown.
Speaking during the awarding ceremony, the athletes were pleased that the county was finally hosting their own marathon.
They noted that it was essential in preparing the budding athletes for global races.
Naomi Chepkorir, who won the women’s marathon, noted that the money motivated them to prepare for the 2024 edition.
She will be hoping to defend her title.
“We have waited for too long and we are thankful that we have eventually earned our prizes. We are now preparing for the 2024 edition,” she said.
The foreign athletes led by Ugandan Belinda Chemutai pointed out that having such a race nearby would help them better their personal best.
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Chemutai sealed the podium in the 10km race.
“I thank the organizing committee. The awards motivate us and enable us to support our families and friends. The awards were delayed but we understand it was because of anti-doping tests,” she offered.
Elgeyo Marakwet Deputy Governor Grace Cheserek said the race’s total prize money was paid to 80 athletes.
“Our target is to pay a total prize money of Sh10 million in the upcoming edition,” Prof Cheserek said.
She called on athletes to turn up in large numbers and register for the third edition, insisting on the importance of running clean.
“We have run a clean race and we recognize you as our champions. We want to see you competing in global races abroad after shining in Iten.
"The next race will be on November 17, and will be preceded by kids athletics,” she said.
“We are geared towards the third edition and we are confident it will be bigger. We are sorry that we didn't pay as promptly as we had promised because of challenges beyond our control,” she continued.
On her side, County Executive Committee Member (CECM) in-charge of sports Purity Koima was pleased that the marathon was gaining popularity as one of the best in the country.
She urged the County Assembly to increase their support for sports during budget allocation.
“More than 2000 trees were grown in partnership with the national police service. The police band made the race entertaining and we hope that they will come in a bigger way this year. We are happy to have given athletes the opportunity to compete. It is our hope that the prizes change the lives of the 80 athletes. During the inaugural edition, athletes bought land and built houses,” she concluded.
Luke Kiprop and Naomi Chepkorir took the honors in the 2023 edition of the marathon.
Kiprop won the men’s race in 2:13:19 followed by Charles Kimeli (2:14:26) as Edwin Yator completed the podium in 2:14:45.
Chepkorir won the women's race in 2:32:36 ahead of Linah Kaino (2:34:27) and Caroline Kimosop at 2:36:36.
