More than 2,000 athletes have entered the Great Chepsaita Cross Country Run senior and junior races set for Saturday.
Chepsaita in Uasin Gishu county will certainly be the place to be on the day, and thousands of spectators are expected.
Great Chepsaita Run is a World Athletics Cross Country tour event that was upgraded in September from bronze label to gold label.
This means that athletes from other countries can enter, and the prize money is determined by World Athletics.
Some 864 athletes have registered for the senior men’s 10km race which is easily one of the highest entry figures recorded in local meetings. The women’s senior 10km race has attracted 624 entries.
The men’s 8km junior category has 638 entries while the women’s 6km category has recorded 603 registrations. Registration closed this week following overwhelming interest
Former 800m World Relay Championships 2x2x400m relay silver medallist Naomi Korir is among the big names who will compete in the women’s senior 10km.
Athletes collect bibs and t-Shirts after registering for the Great Chepsaita Cross Country Run at Eldoret Sports Club in Eldoret City, Uasin Gishu County on December 04, 2024.
Photo credit: Jared Nyataya | Nation Media Group
She added that this was essential for her training as she looks ahead to getting a place in the Kenya team for the 2025 World Championships in Tokyo, Japan in September.
“Another season has started and I always love competing in cross country events. I raced at the Athletics Kenyan Cross Country in Iten and Bomet series where I won in the 2km loop races but in this event I have decided to compete in the 10km race,” said Korir, who finished 33rd last year.
Other elite women athletes that have entered are Lemotit-based Sandrafelis Chebet, Deborah Samum, Ruth Bosibori, Margaret Gati, Everlyne Atieno, Linet Nanjala, Naumglorius Chepchumba,
Meanwhile, athletes who registered for the run have been urged to collect their bib numbers personally from the designated pick-up centres.
The meet director Barnaba Korir said that the guidelines of collecting the bib numbers personally is in conformity with the Anti-Doping Integrity Unit (AIU) rules. Athletes must pick their bibs latest, a day before the race.
Great Chepsaita Run is the 11th cross country gold tour meet to take place out of the 16 this season.
Sirikwa Classic World Cross Country Gold Tour will take place in January in Kenya and has been part of the tour over the past four years. These are the only two gold tour events in Africa.
