Great Chepsaita Cross Country Championships patron, Farouk Kibet (centre), Meet Director Barnaba Korir (second left), the competition’s director Kennedy Tanui (second right) and other officials address the media in Eldoret on November 25 ahead of the race December 6 race.
A few changes have been made to the course for Chepsaita Cross Country Run to give spectators a better viewing experience compared to last two editions of the annual race held in Uasin Gishu County.
The start has been moved closer to the VIP area and the spectator zone, allowing the spectators to have a better view of the competitors. Organisers have also made sharp turns that troubled contestants in last year’s race smoother, and made the downhill sections of the course less steep.
Competitors in the men’s 500m race for the athletes aged above 70 years during the Great Chepsaita Cross Country Run at Chepkemel in Turbo Constituency, Uasin Gishu County on December 07, 2024.
Last year, World Athletics upgraded the race to a gold label event. The first edition was held at Chepsaita village in 2023 as a bronze label event. The 10km run is one of two World Cross Country Gold Tour events in Kenya, the other being Sirikwa Classic, which takes place annually in Eldoret. Registration closed on November 15 for elite athletes, after which the names were forwarded to the Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU) for verification.
Athletics Kenya President Jack Tuwei said this was done in adherence to international standards.
“This is a gold label race, and we want to adhere to the rules to help our athletes build their future. All rules must be followed to the letter, and we will not bend them in a last-minute rush,” said Tuwei.
Athletes battle it out during The Great Chepsaita Cross Country Run, Junior Men 8km race held at Chepkemel in Turbo Constituency, Uasin Gishu County on December 7, 2024.
Collection of bib numbers started yesterday at Iten Elgeyo Marakwet County, and continues today in Kapsabet, Nandi County, at the Eliud Kipchoge Sports Complex. Tomorrow, bib numbers will be distributed at the Eldoret Sports Club. On Thursday, the team distributing bib numbers will be at Chepsaita Secondary School, while on Friday, all Under-20 and elite athletes will pick their numbers at the same venue in readiness for the race on Saturday.
This year, the prize money has gone up, making it the best-paying cross-country event in the world in line with its gold label status. A prize purse of Sh20 million will be up for grabs by athletes competing in various categories. Children from unstable backgrounds from the local community will also benefit from scholarships valued at than Sh20 million in school fee.
Winners of elite 10km races in both men's and women’s races will go home with Sh750,000 ($5,804), while second-placed athletes take home Sh500,000 ($3869). Third -placed runners will pocket Sh350,000 ($2708).
Winners of men’s and women’s junior races will get Sh200,000 ($1547), runners-up Sh150,000 ($1,160) and third-placed athletes Sh100,000 ($773). Winners of races between 14 and 15 years will be rewarded Sh60,000 ($464).
A competitor in the women’s 500m race for the athletes aged between 46 and 55 years during the Great Chepsaita Cross Country Run at Chepkemel in Turbo Constituency, Uasin Gishu County on December 07, 2024.
Race Director Barnaba Korir termed the race “a foundation for future world-beaters.”
“Going to the grassroots is the only way to identify and nurture talents. We are glad that the race is building future stars, and some of the athletes doing well in these events will certainly make it to 2028 Olympic Games and the 2032 Games,” said Korir. There will be a medical camp for the local community today.
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