More than 30 athletics legends participated in a symbolic run in Eldoret as part of Kenya's efforts to promote tourism through its rich sporting heritage. The event, held during the Kenya Tourism Week and World Tourism Day, brought together former champions who once dominated the global athletics stage. The run was jointly organised by the Ministry of Tourism, Uasin Gishu County Government, and the University of Eldoret.
Athletics icon Kipchoge Keino led the run, which aimed to profile Kenya as a destination for sports tourism. Tourism PS Julius Bitok flagged off the event, stating that the participation of the legends would help market Kenya as a secure region for sports tourism. The event sought to connect Eldoret and the wider North Rift's sporting identity with tourism, culture, communities, and visitor experiences.
Keino called for greater investment in sports tourism, highlighting that Kenya has much to offer visitors beyond its traditional wildlife and coastal attractions. He encouraged young people to use sports to attract tourists and showcase Kenya's achievements on the global stage. Keino also emphasized that the country's sporting success has already attracted visitors interested in experiencing the environment that has produced some of the world's greatest athletes.
Former athlete Leah Malot challenged young athletes to embrace sports tourism as a way of marketing Uasin Gishu and Kenya as leading destinations. She also cautioned athletes against doping, emphasizing the importance of maintaining integrity in sports to bring glory to the country and contribute to sports tourism. The run was conceived to profile tourism attractions in the region while showcasing a tourism menu beyond the traditional wildlife and coastal circuits.
Athletics has increasingly become part of Kenya's tourism identity, with Eldoret and the North Rift attracting athletes, coaches, sports enthusiasts, and visitors interested in experiencing the environment and culture associated with the country's sporting success. The region is internationally known for its running tradition and serves as a gateway to a wider North Rift tourism circuit that includes high-altitude training camps, sporting facilities, cultural experiences, landscapes, and local communities.
The Kenya Tourism Week programme, running from September 21 to 27, is showcasing the region's potential through sports, culture, conservation, gastronomy, digital innovation, and community experiences. Tourism authorities have identified the North Rift as an important region for developing new tourism circuits beyond Kenya's traditional destinations. The presence of the athletics legends provided an opportunity to celebrate the people behind Kenya's success on the global athletics stage.
The event also highlighted the potential of the legends' legacy to attract visitors to the region. The participation of over 30 former champions demonstrated the country's rich sporting heritage and its potential to promote tourism. The symbolic run was a significant step towards showcasing Kenya's sports tourism potential and attracting visitors to the region.
Key points
- The event was part of Kenya Tourism Week and World Tourism Day celebrations.
- Athletics legends participated in the run to promote Kenya's sports tourism potential.
- The North Rift region is being developed as a new tourism circuit beyond traditional destinations.
