Eldoret: The Eldoret City Marathon 2026 delivered a thrilling showcase of endurance and speed as top athletes battled for supremacy in a race themed around climate action.
According to Kenya News Agency, Koech Cheruiyot clinched the men’s title after an intense duel, clocking 2:12:53 to finish ahead of a tightly packed field. Kiprotich Leonard pushed him to the limit, settling for second place in 2:13:23, just 30 seconds behind.
Kiplimo Hosea completed the podium positions with a time of 2:13:29, only six seconds adrift of second place. The trio ran shoulder-to-shoulder for much of the race, as reflected in their identical split times at the first checkpoint.
‘The race presented some challenges; I was experiencing a stomachache up to the 35th KM but I managed to win after some relief in the final part of the race,’ said Cheruiyot. He thanked all his supporters, noting he will use the Sh3.5 million prize money to purchase land for his mother back at home in Londiani.
In the women’s race, Dorrine Chesang emerged victorious in 2:30:26 after holding off a late challenge from Margaret Muruiki, who finished second in 2:30:45. Jackline Jerono secured third place with a time of 2:31:51, capping a competitive podium finish. ‘The race was nice; I had prepared for it with thorough training at our camp in Trans Nzoia,’ said Chesang.
The winners in both the men’s and women’s categories each earned Sh 3.5 million. Second-place finishers were awarded Sh 1.5 million, while those who came in third took home Sh 1 million. Governor Jonathan Bii affirmed the county’s firm commitment as title sponsor to investing in sports as a driver of youth empowerment, economic growth, and global recognition.
He added that the event continues to grow in stature, attracting elite athletes, partners, and spectators from across Kenya and around the world. Kipchumba Ruto from the Ministry of Sports, who represented the Sports Principal Secretary, affirmed the ministry’s commitment to support athletic talents, urging all stakeholders to consider sports seriously as a means of employment to support livelihoods and economic development.
He hinted at diversifying sports to involve other genres like tennis, among others, noting, ‘we should not rely on athletics alone but also tap into other kinds of sports. We want to make Kenya a high-end sporting destination; let’s come up strongly to realize our potential.’
This year’s marathon not only highlighted elite athletic performance but also emphasized environmental conservation, with organisers using the platform to champion climate action initiatives. The close finishes in both categories underscored the growing competitiveness of long-distance running in Kenya, particularly in Eldoret, widely regarded as a hub of athletics talent.
