Kericho: 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.
According to Kenya News Agency, in an interview 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 highlighted that 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.
Coach Kiptanui expressed confidence in the ten Kericho athletes competing in the 5km and 10km races at the Belgut Marathon, noting their consistent training and dedication to their athletics careers. Seasoned athlete Victor Kimutai, who secured a fully funded sports scholarship to Josai University in Japan in 2021, is preparing for the men’s 5km race to gauge his form ahead of the 2026 Ekiden Half Marathon.
Kimutai, who made a mark during the 2020 Athletics Kenya Trials by winning the 5000m race with a personal best of 13:42 minutes, shared that he emerged as the winner in the Ekiden Half Marathon Trials race in October 2021 and again in December 2021, recording personal bests of 13:38 and 13:31, respectively.
Upcoming athlete Mercy Chebet, 21, is ready to compete in the women’s 5km race, confident of a top-three finish. Chebet recently participated in the inaugural Proposed Hekima University Molo Marathon, securing tenth position in the 10km women’s race despite a knee injury with a personal best of 36:00.
Coach Kiptanui, who trains more than 20 athletes, has built a stable including accomplished international athletes like 2015 steeplechase world champion Sheila Chelangat and two-time Olympic champion Beatrice Chebet. The competition will bring athletes from various counties to battle for top honours, with a Sh4.92 million prize pool across the race categories.
