Preparations for the Great Chepsaita Cross Country race are in top gear with eight competitive races on the card ahead of Saturday’s event.
The event is also expected to attract more than 10,000 athletes and 50,000 spectators to the sleepy Chepsaita village in Uasin Gishu County.
All roads leading to Chepsaita, the venue for Saturday’s race, have been given a facelift. President William Ruto is the top guest.
He will be joined by Olympians Eliud Kipchoge, Faith Kipyegon, Geoffrey Kamworor, and Beatrice Chebet. The organisers revealed they have entries from Uganda, Tanzania, and South Sudan.
The battle lines have been drawn ahead of the race, which is patronised by President Ruto’s aide, Farouk Kibet. A free medical camp conducted in the lead-up to the race has attended to over 5,000 locals. Kibet is excited about the response from sponsors and the community.
“We are happy with the support we are receiving from sponsors led by Safaricom and also the host community, who will extensively benefit from all activities around the race,” said Kibet.
A rather tough course has been set for the second edition of the race as organisers look forward to ‘a massive event”.
Athletics Kenya executive committee member Barnaba Korir, chairman of the Chepsaita Cross Country organising committee, said eight races have been enlisted for Saturday.
These are 500m ( 5-7 years), 1km ( 8-10 years), 2km ( 11-13 years), 4km ( 14-15 years), 6km (U20 women), 8km (U20 men) 10km (elite men and women). Others are 2km race for 46-55 years, 1km ( 56-69 years) and 500m ( 70 years and above).
“Chepsaita is the place to be and so far so good. From what is going on (on the ground), we have a great race ahead. Everyone is set as per our theme “Chepsaita is one of the best races we have in Kenya. It’s an opportunity for upcoming athletes to show their talent and also run in support of education activities,” said Kipchoge.
Kipyegon said “Run for Education” is a worthy theme. “This is a race that will help exploit great talents in athletics and also in education,” said Kipyegon.
Kamworor and Chebet, while appearing at a build-up press conference, urged upcoming athletes to register in numbers.
Kibet said Sh10 million will be used to sponsor over 1,000 needy students as well as fund projects in 10 local schools.
They hope to extend their support to hospitals, roads and water projects in the future. “We are grateful to all our sponsors. It’s encouraging that our community here and all those involved are ready for the Great Chepsaita race on December 7,” said Kibet.
The race had been upgraded to a World Athletics Gold label contest, which means the organisers must meet all the set international standards.
