Chepsaita Cross Country upgraded to gold label

Athletes compete in 6km men's senior race during the inaugural Great Chepsaita Cross Country Run at Chepsaita Secondary School in Uasin Gishu County on December 02, 2023. [Stafford Ondego, Standard]

The second edition of the Great Chepsaita Cross Country Run has been upgraded to gold label.

The contest set for December 7 was yesterday billed as a race organised to attract both local and attract global stars.

Like last year, top athletes are set to battle it out for honours in one of the toughest courses in Chepsaita, Uasin Gishu County.

On Saturday, at the official launch of the 2024 edition, hundreds of kids, budding athletes and fun runners had a taste of the hilly course in curtain-raiser races.

Last year, former Africa Under-20 1500m silver medallist Edinah Jebitok and former world cross country junior champion Ishmael Kipkurui won the inaugural edition of the Great Chepsaita Cross Country Run.

Jebitok was among top athletes including two-time Olympic Champion Eliud Kipchoge who graced the launch in Chepsaita, yesterday.

Kipchoge lauded the upgrade from silver to gold, saying it would attract quality fields in December.

“The upgrade from silver to gold label will give top athletes the opportunity to confirm their mettles they are made of. I encourage them to train every day and go to schools because education progresses the talent,” the multiple World Marathon Majors winner said during the launch, which also marked the start of registration of participants.

Kipchoge hinted at delivering an athletics event when he chooses to retire in future.

“For me, the future is great and I have a lot in my mind. I have discussed a lot with my team and in the future there will be goodies,” the legendary marathoner said.

Two-time World Marathon Champion Abel Kirui, who also attended the launch, thanked organisers led by the event’s patron Farouk Kibet for offering youngsters the opportunity to showcase talents.

Kirui, who has set sights on the 2024 Kobe Marathon in Japan later this year before running his last race at the 2025 Berlin Marathon, told athletes to take advantage of local races to secure sponsorships.

“When I was in Samitoi, I started running and it shaped my talent. I became a police officer because of my athletics talent. I encourage young athletes to keep training and competing,” he said.

Athletics Kenya (AK) Youth Development Director Barnaba Korir said the 2024 edition had attracted a huge interest from athletes and enthusiasts.

Korir said the federation had already engaged athletes from Ethiopia, France, Britain and those that are training in major local bases including Iten.

“As a result of the performances that we had last year, we have come up with a number of initiatives that will help the athletes who are in school, so that we grow education alongside sports. Construction of playgrounds will also be part of the Great Run,” the AK executive member said.

He said AK was ready to support events that will ensure that athletes earn a living from sports.

“The course is one of the toughest will offer athletes preparing for global contests, from Indoor, to World Cross Country and World Championships and even the marathons,” he added.

Kibet, the race patron, said the event will support talent development while promoting education.