The Eldoret City Marathon organisers have scrapped registration fees for late entries and altered the route ahead of Sunday’s race.
However, those interested must register before Friday, when the names will be sent to Athletics Kenya and the Anti-Doping Agency of Kenya (ADAK) for verification.
Race Director Moses Tanui said expected athletes are mainly upstarts who cannot raise bus fare to Eldoret, let alone afford the Sh1,500 registration fees.
The race will start and end at TAC Centre as opposed to previous editions, where it was a one-way run from the University of Eldoret (Chepkoilel) to Zion Mall.
“We want to be fair to our athletes, who suffer after leaving their belongings at the starting point. They normally get lost. We want to save them from paying double bus fare too,” said Tanui, a two-time Boston Marathon champion.
Speaking on Wednesday during a tree planting session under Climate Action, the former world half marathon champion said the changes will help save time.
“We will save a lot of time now that the start is next to the finish line. We will also keep their (athletes) belongings safe,” he said.
Sunday’s race will start at TAC Centre in Eldoret Town, past Moi Girls’ Eldoret, turn to Kipchoge Keino Stadium on Eldoret-Iten road, turn left to ELDWAS, Coca Cola, Kiptagich along the Uganda Highway, turn at Paul’s Bakery to Pipeline, back on the highway, then Karen, Langas, Elgon View to Kisumu Road, Old Nairobi Road, Kapsoya, Noble, back on the main road to town, enter Nandi Road to West Indies, back on the Highway and back at TAC Centre.
Athletes are expected to pick bib numbers in person. “Running numbers are personally picked as we register you afresh, that is the law. If you don’t pick the bib number, you will not run,” warned Tanui.
Meanwhile, Safaricom have announced a Sh4.3 million sponsorship for the race.
“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,” said Safaricom CEO Peter Ndegwa.
"Through this sponsorship, we hope to celebrate the incredible talent within Eldoret as we provide a platform for aspiring athletes to showcase their skills
