In the heart of Kenya’s Rift Valley, amidst the undulating hills and sprawling plains, lies Eldoret, a city with a spirit as resilient as its terrain. Known as the “Home of Champions,”
Standing tall and proud against the backdrop of Eldoret’s vibrant streets, the Champions Monument serves as a testament to the city’s unparalleled dominance in long-distance running. Here, beneath the azure skies and amidst the whispers of triumph, visitors are reminded of the countless records shattered by Eldoret’s sons and daughters across the globe.
But why is Eldoret hailed as the “City of Champions”? The answer lies in the numbers of times residents have been shattering long distance records. That’s how often Eldoret has been the birthplace of marathon champions who have conquered the world stage. From the bustling streets of New York City to the serene paths of Tokyo, Eldoret’s imprint on the annals of long-distance running is indelible.
- Eldoret-City of champions
- Nandi-Source of champions
- Elgeyo marakwet/ Iten-home of champions
How Kenyan athletes have contributed in transforming Eldoret home of champions
Kenyan athletes have not only left an indelible mark on the global stage with their athletic prowess but have also played a significant role in transforming their hometown of Eldoret into the renowned “Home of Champions.” Particularly in Eldoret town, the influence of these athletes is palpable, as evidenced by the towering high-rise buildings and opulent estates that dot the landscape.
Many of these modern structures proudly bear the names of iconic cities and prestigious races from around the world, serving as poignant reminders of their owners’ triumphs on the international stage. From the Rotterdam Centre (Iten road) to the GrandPri Hotel and Johannesburg Plaza, these edifices stand as monuments to the dedication and success of Eldoret’s sporting heroes. In the bustling central business district alone, approximately 20 commercial buildings are owned by athletes either native to the area or drawn to its vibrant energy.
Kenyan athletes top investments
kenyan athletes have invested majorly in real estate, property, hotels and hospitality, schools, agriculture among many others in Eldoret area. This has contributed to home of champions becoming a vibrant commercial and sporting hub.
Kipchoge Keino
After retiring from athletics, the two-time Olympic gold medalist was the chairman of the Kenyan Olympic Committee (KOC), and is an honorary member of the International Olympic Committee (IOC).
Further, he established the Kip Keino Sports House in Eldoret in a bid to hone and inspire other upcoming athletes in their crafts.
Fred Kiprop
A former Amsterdam Marathon winner, Fred Kiprop is a renowned long distance runner who was active in the 1990s. Races that he participated in and won include the 1997 and 1999 Gold Coast Marathon.
Fred owns Kirem Arcade, which houses a number of local banks in Eldoret.
Moses Kiptanui
He owns Komora centre and utamaduni house in Eldoret, Kiptanui made history by becoming the first man to run the steeplechase in under eight minutes
Moses Tanui
Grand pri Hotel along Eldoret Iten road. Tanui won various IAAF Grand Prix races, which later inspired him to establish Grandpri Hotel for his memories
David Marus
David marus invested greatly in agriculture maize farming, dairy and rental property, he is one of the biggest supplier of milk to the area. His rental properties in eldoret earns him around 300,000kshs per month
Lornah Kiplagat
Lornah Kiplagat has also invested heavily on sports and agriculture, she once said her dream was to build a self sufficient sports academy with own food from the farm and energy from solar.
Lorna Kiplagat, is a renowned long-distance runner having scooped gold in various events such as Tilburg in 2005, Debrecen in 2006, Udine in 2007 and Rio de Janeiro in 2008. She owns the High Altitude Training Centre (HATC), in Iten.
Mary Keitany
She was the world record holder in a women-only marathon, having won the 2017 London Marathon in a time of 2:17:01. Mary has invested in property and hospitality sector.
Alongside her husband, Charles Koech, the decorated athlete established Chamastar and winstar Hotel in Kabarnet and Eldoret town. This came after Keitany retired in 2021 due to a back injury.
Daniel Komen
Daniel Komen holds the indoor record for the 3,000 metre race. He currently owns a private school, Potters House Academy, He once offered a Mercedes and a parcel of land for any Kenyan athlete who could beat his record but 25 years later his offer no longer stands after nobody claiming the record.
Evans Cheruiyot
Evans Kiprop Cheruiyot is a Kenyan long-distance runner who competes in the marathon. He started out as a half marathon runner, taking wins in Rotterdam marathon. The 2008 Chicago Marathon winner, dedicated his Rotterdam Centre in Eldoret to his half marathon victory in Rotterdam in 2007. He also owns owns Kamariny Centre in Iten.
Paul Chelimo
He owns Alberto’s lounge and grill 1800 revelers capacity sited in 3 acres of land in Eldoret Uganda road, Paul is s US citizen born in Kenya. he is, a 5,000m Olympics bronze medalist.
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