Big Safaricom boost for Eldoret City Marathon

Safaricom has pledged a sponsorship of KES 4.3 million to support the 5th edition of the Eldoret City Marathon, scheduled for Sunday, April 21st, 2024, in Eldoret, Uasin Gishu County. 

The marathon, renowned for attracting top-tier athletes, will feature contenders such as Victor Kipchirchir, a two-time champion of the race in 2021 and 2022, aiming to surpass his previous time of 2:13:10.

The Eldoret City Marathon, known as the brainchild of two-time Boston marathon champion Moses Tanui, aims to not only provide a stage for emerging, talented athletes but also to raise awareness about environmental conservation.

The event will encompass two categories: the full marathon, spanning 42 kilometers for both men and women, and a 10-kilometer fun run. Safaricom plans to collaborate with the organizers to digitalize various aspects of the marathon, particularly focusing on streamlining the registration process.

Peter Ndegwa, Chief Executive Officer of Safaricom, expressed enthusiasm about the partnership, stating, "We are thrilled to partner with the Eldoret City Marathon, an event that embodies the spirit of athleticism and community. We believe in the power of sports to inspire, unite, and transform lives. Through this sponsorship, we hope to celebrate the incredible talent within Eldoret as we provide a platform for aspiring athletes to showcase their skills."

Moses Tanui, Founder and Director of the Eldoret City Marathon, emphasized the marathon's role in nurturing local talent, stating, "We developed the Eldoret City Marathon to afford the bubbling talent in the shadows an opportunity to compete at home. This Marathon serves as the platform to bring emerging local talent into the limelight and connect them with the global athletic community." 

Safaricom will also work with the organisers to digitize the event especially on the registration process.