Close to 9,000 athletes from 21 nationalities have been confirmed for the third edition of the annual Chepsaita Cross Country Run set for tomorrow, Saturday the 6th December, in Turbo,Uasin Gishu county.
South African athletes Phemelo Matshaba and Frederik Kotze are among the confirmed foreign athletes who attended the pre-race press conference on Friday at the Chepsaita grounds, exuding confidence in the 10km senior men’s and women’s races.
The local organising chairman for the gold label cross-country event in the World Athletics calendar, Barnaba Korir, said the race will be crucial as it sets the pace ahead of next month’s World Cross Country Championship in Tallahassee, Florida, USA.
“We are set for the 3rd edition tomorrow, this being the richest cross country, with the winners in the 10 km set to pocket KSh 750,000, Ksh 500,000 for the silver medallist and Ksh 300,000 for the 3rd place.”added Korir
We are fully prepared for tomorrow’s showdown, with all plans and logistics firmly in place. The excitement is building, and we look forward to hosting a world-class event that showcases exceptional talent and strengthens our county’s position on the global athletics stage.” Korir stated
The race Patron Farouk Kibet said the race has transformed many families and livelihoods since its inception, with scholarship cheques set to be presented to beneficiaries.
The day’s line-up of events includes the under-15 races for both boys and girls and the under-20 for boys and girls from 8am, culminating with the 10km senior races at 12pm and 12:50pm for women and men, respectively.
National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang’ula and Kakamega County Governor Fernandes Barasa are among the guests for Saturday’s race.
