The countdown to the third edition of the Belgut marathon has entered its final days, with seasoned and upcoming athletes from Kericho stepping up preparations ahead of the August 23 race.
The marathon seeks to support orphaned and needy bright students pursuing their education at Belgut Starehe Schools and will feature 5km, 10km and 21km races for both men and women athletes.
In an interview with Kenya News Agency at the Kericho Teachers Training College grounds, Athletics Kenya (AK) Kericho County First Vice Chairman Gabriel Kiptanui, who doubles up as an athletics coach, said 10 Kericho-based athletes will be competing in the 5km and 10km races.
He said the experience gained by athletes who have competed at the international level had helped raise their profiles in the region, and the Belgut Marathon will provide another platform for the runners to compete on home soil.
“I am confident that the ten Kericho athletes who will compete in the 5km and 10km races at the 3rd edition of the Belgut Marathon on Sunday will secure top positions, as a section of them have competed in international races and brought home medals. The athletes have been consistent in their trainings, and they are equally dedicated to their athletics careers and provide them an opportunity to hone their skills,” said Coach Kiptanui.
Seasoned athlete Victor Kimutai, 25, who secured a fully funded sports scholarship to Josai University in Japan in 2021 owing to his prowess in athletics, is preparing to compete in the third edition of the Belgut Marathon.
In an interview with KNA, Kimutai said he will compete in the men’s 5km race and hopes to use it to gauge his form ahead of the 2026 Ekiden Half Marathon slated for next month.
“I am on my summer vacation, but I will compete in the men’s 5km race at the Belgut Marathon, which I will use to hone my skills as I prepare for the 2026 Ekiden Half Marathon next month,” said Kimutai.
The long-distance runner caught the eye of top athletic coaches and managers during the 2020 Athletics Kenya (AK) Trials to select candidates for the World Athletics under-20 championships after winning the 5000m race with a personal best of 13:42 minutes.
The athlete revealed that he emerged as the winner in the Ekiden Half Marathon Trials race, which was held on 23 October 2021, with a personal best of 13:38, and in the Ekiden Half Marathon held on 26 December 2021, where he won again with a personal best of 13:31.
Upcoming athlete Mercy Chebet, 21, said she was ready to compete in the women’s 5km race and was confident of securing a top-three finish, citing her consistent training and determination to deliver a strong performance.
“On August 8 this year, I participated in the inaugural Proposed Hekima University (PHU) Molo Marathon, where I competed in the 10km women’s race. Despite a knee injury, I emerged in tenth position with a personal best of 36:00, and I am confident I will do much better in the 5km women’s race now that I have registered to compete in the third edition of the Belgut Marathon,” said Chebet.
Coach Kiptanui, who trains more than 20 athletes, has built a stable that includes several accomplished international athletes, among them 2015 steeplechase world champion Sheila Chelangat, 2023 and 2024 World Cross Country mixed relay champions Miriam Cherop and Daniel Munguti, 2013 World U18 1500m champion Robert Biwott and two-time Olympic champion Beatrice Chebet.
The competition will bring together men and women athletes from Kericho, Nakuru, Baringo, Nandi, Uasin Gishu, Elgeyo Marakwet, Kisii and Bomet counties who will battle for top honours in the various race categories.
Runners will compete for a Sh4.92 million prize pool across 21km, 10km and 5km race categories.
By Sarah Njagi
