Over 30 athletics legends join Eldoret run to promote sports tourism
The event, held on Saturday, was jointly organised by the Ministry of Tourism, the Uasin Gishu County Government and the University of Eldoret.
ELDORET, Kenya — Over thirty renowned athletics figures, spearheaded by legendary athlete Kipchoge Keino, participated in a symbolic run in Eldoret to boost the country's sports tourism during this year's Kenya Tourism Week. The gathering, jointly organized by the Ministry of Tourism, Uasin Gishu County Government, and the University of Eldoret, took place on Saturday and simultaneously celebrated UN Tourism Day.
Julius Bitok, Principal Secretary of Tourism, who initiated the run, highlighted how the involvement of these athletics icons would assist in showcasing Kenya as a premier sports tourism destination. "Our sports ambassadors embody our intent to highlight Kenya as a safe region for sports enthusiasts," Bitok emphasized.
Keino called for more emphasis on promoting sports tourism, stating that the country possesses significant potential through its rich sporting heritage. "We should encourage sports tourism. Our country offers a myriad of opportunities in terms of sports," the athletics legend remarked. He noted that tourists have already journeyed to Kenya to experience the "home of champions" and encouraged the young generation to leverage sport as a means to lure visitors to the nation.
Former athlete Leah Malot urged young and active athletes to engage in sports tourism as a method to market Uasin Gishu and Kenya as desirable tourism spots. She also warned against the misuse of performance-enhancing drugs.
This symbolic run aimed to intertwine Eldoret's and the North Rift's athletic legacy with tourism, culture, community, and visitor experiences. Its goal was to display the region's tourism attractions and underscore Kenya's broader tourism offerings beyond conventional wildlife and coastal attractions. Organizers noted that athletics is increasingly becoming an integral part of destinations' identities, attracting athletes, coaches, sports fans, and individuals interested in experiencing the environment and culture associated with sporting excellence.
The event was a cornerstone of the comprehensive Kenya Tourism Week programme running from September 21 to 27 in Eldoret. The programme featured the region through the lenses of sports, culture, conservation, gastronomy, digital innovation, and community experiences. Eldoret is characterized as a gateway to a larger North Rift tourism circuit, encompassing training camps, sporting facilities, cultural experiences, landscapes, and communities.
The tourism authorities have identified the area as a crucial location for developing novel tourism circuits beyond Kenya's conventional destinations. The participation of the athletics legends also offered a platform to celebrate the individuals contributing to Kenya's athletics narrative, while the region's established reputation as a training destination continues to draw athletes from various parts of the globe seeking to benefit from its high-altitude training environment.
Written by urgent.news from Capital FM Kenya's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
