As they take on counterparts from East African countries, athletics stars will not just be looking to win the sixth edition of Eldoret City Marathon on Sunday; they will be hoping to make a name for themselves.

On Thursday, the stage was being set for a thrilling marathon on the streets of the City of Champions.

On the sidelines, the country’s athletics legends will be following closely as stars in their prime race for glory in one of Africa’s highest paying marathons.

The athletics stars will be joining defending champions Emily Jepkemoi and Victor Kipchirchir in a marathon that is aiming to attain the highest standards for a World Athletics label, a process that will begin next year.

More big names including 2021 Rome Marathon champion Peris Jerono as well as Viola Chepngeno, who has competed in half marathons such as Copenhagen and Lille, feature prominently in the list of women who have registered. They will be banking on their road running experience to shine in Eldoret this Sunday.

Nancy Jepleting, who trains in Kapsait and who draws her inspiration from training mates such as world road running half marathon bronze medallist Catherine Reline among other big stars, says she will do her best in the race run in the City of Champions.

Jepleting, who initially trained in Kapsabet before moving to Kapsait, a 2800m elevation on the border of Elgeyo Marakwet and West Pokot counties, said she had her sights on running a good time on Sunday.

She has competed in a number of half marathons among them Napoli City where she finished third in 1:10.03 in February last year and Trento where she also settled for a second runner-up place.

At the Eldoret City Marathon, Jepleting will be launching her 42.195km career with high hopes.

“I will be targeting a fast time as I transit to the full marathon. Eldoret City Marathon will be exciting but I have been encouraged to do better by training mates in Kapsait. The training has been good and I am thankful that I am in a better shape, only hoping for the best,” she said in a telephone interview.

As Kirui and Jepleting dreamt big, organisers of Eldoret City Marathon were lining up major activities ahead of the race which coincides with the 2025 London Marathon.

Kericho-based Michael Kirui said his training was adequate but indicated that he anticipated a strong challenge from counterparts in Kericho, who were also preparing to participate in the Eldoret City Marathon extravaganza.

“My other aim is to perform well in Eldoret and get a manager because I yearn for my first race abroad this year. It is my prayer that I get a manager and take my career forward by exploring opportunities locally and internationally. My training is now complete and I am just getting ready for the race on Sunday,” Kirui said.

He will be taking part at the Standard Chartered Marathon after the Eldoret City Marathon event.

Nothing has been left to chance as the race prepares to begin the process of seeking a World Athletics label from 2026.

One of the biggest activities will be the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between Eldoret City Marathon and the Great Ethiopian Run on Saturday, just hours to the race.

A climate action, in line with the race’s theme has also been lined up.