Barriers, mud pools and steep inclines: Kaptagat hosts race of a different kind
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Hudson Luhayo powers his Land Cruiser at the intermediate category section during the Diesel Power Kaptagat (4 by 4), Off-Road Challenge National Championship Round One, held at Kaptagat Forest in Elgeyo Marakwet County on April 05, 2026. Emmanuel Kipchirchir won the category while Luhayo was second.
Kaptagat in Elgeyo Marakwet County is more popular with athletics stars, and high altitude training camps. It hosts Global Sports Communication Athletics Camp, which is the training base for world conquering stars like two-time Olympics marathon champion and former world record holder Eliud Kipchoge, multiple Olympics and world 1,500 metres champion Faith Kipyegon, world 3,000m steeplechase champion Faith Cherotich, three-time world 10,000m champion and reigning Olympics 10,000m champion Joshua Cheptei from Uganda, and two-time New York City Marathon champion Geoffrey Kamworor.
Locals going about their businesses at the sprawling Chirchir shopping centre where Global Sports Communication Training Camp is located normally brush shoulders with Kipchoge, Kipyegon, Cherotich and Cheptegei as the athletes crisscross the running trails during morning runs. But on Saturday, and Sunday (April 4 and 5, 2026), the locals woke up to sound of a different kind. Sounds of quad bikes and off-road cars of all shapes and sizes rented the air, as teams competed in Kaptagat 4x4 Off-Road Challenge organised by Kenya Motorsports Sports Federation 4x4 Off-Road Challenge. The body is affiliated to Kenya Motorsports Federation.
