Fat paycheck awaits top performers at Betika National Cross Country Champs in Eldoret

NAIROBI, Kenya, February 3, 2025 – The battle for this year’s Betika National Cross Country Championships has gone a notch higher following an enhanced prize money structure.

According to Athletics Kenya (AK), top performers from this year’s edition will walk home with bulging pockets.

“To spice up the competition, AK has revamped the prize money structure, ensuring top performers receive substantial rewards. In the senior 10km races, the winners will pocket Ksh 200,000, followed by Ksh 130,000 for second place and Ksh 100,000 for third place. Those finishing fourth to tenth will receive Ksh 70,000, Ksh 50,000, Ksh 40,000, Ksh 30,000, Ksh 20,000 and Ksh 10,000 respectively,” the federation said.

They added: “In the under 20 category, the top three finishers will take home Ksh 140,000, Ksh 90,000 and Ksh 70,000 respectively, with additional prizes for those finishing in the top 10. Meanwhile, in the 2km loop race, the winner will bag Ksh 50,000, with second and third places earning Ksh 40,000 and Ksh 30,000 respectively.”

So far, 500 elite and upcoming athletes have been penned in for the competition, set for February 8 (this Saturday) at the Eldoret Sports Club in Eldoret City.

It will be a national cross country championships with a difference as far as the programme of activities is concerned.

The day will begin with entertainment and a medical camp before the moment of reckoning in the afternoon when athletes take to the course in the three categories of competition.

“This year will be different with races commencing in the afternoon. This schedule allows for an entertainment segment and a medical camp to be held before the events, enhancing the experience for both athletes and spectators,” the federation said.

AK further thanked betting firm Betika for partnering with them in the implementation of the Road to Tokyo calendar of activities that began with the Cross Country Series in Machakos on October 19 last year.

“Athletics Kenya extends its gratitude to Betika for its unwavering support, with the firm stepping in to sponsor both the Cross Country Series and the upcoming Track and Field Series. We call upon fans, stakeholders and media to flock Eldoret and witness Kenya’s best long distance runners vie for national glory in the land of champions,” they said.

The categories include senior men and women’s 10km, Under 20 men’s 8km, Under 20 women’s 6km and the 2km loop race (men and women).

If history is anything to go by, the 2025 National Cross Country Championships may just provide more memories worthy of immortalisation in AK’s museum.

At last year’s edition at Prisons Staff Training College in Ruiru, it was cutthroat competition as Sabastian Sawe nicked at the end to win the senior men’s race after clocking 28:39, ahead of Samwel Masai, who also timed 28:39.

Gideon Rono came in third in 28:42.

It was, similarly, a race for the toughest in the senior women’s as Agnes Ngetich clocked 31:51 to claim top honours

Lillian Kasait came second in 31:57 whereas double world record holder Beatrice Chebet completed the podium in 32:00.   

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