ELDORET, Kenya, December 6 – It is all systems go for the second edition of the Great Chepsaita Cross Country race that is set for Saturday (December 7) at Chepsaita in Uasin Gishu County.
The competition has attracted approximately 2000 athletes across 18 categories, including the senior men and women’s 10km as well as the Under 20 men’s 8km and women’s 6km.
It has been a beehive of activity for the past one month as organisers burn the midnight oil to ensure everything is in place for the World Athletics Gold Label race.
Athletes have also been busy putting the finishing touches in training while collecting their bib numbers from designated centres around the country.
Competition in the elite categories is expected to be fierce, what with a sumptuous cash prize of Ksh 300,000 (1st place), Ksh 250,000 (2nd place) and Ksh 150,000 (3rd place) in the senior races.
On the other hand, the Under 20 categories come with a cash prize of Ksh 60,000 (1st place), Ksh 40,000 (2nd place) and Ksh 30,000 (3rd place).
Among those hoping to go back with bulging pockets is Alice Chemtai who will be in action in the Under 20 women’s 6km.
The youngster has been a roll in this season’s Athletics Kenya (AK) Cross Country Series, finishing second in Kapsokwony, Iten and Bomet legs of the annual event.
Her excellent performances have done magic for her confidence heading into Chepsaita.
“This time I have prepared well for the Chepsaita Cross Country. I have been performing well in the cross country series and I am confident I will do the same tomorrow. Even if I don’t win the race, I am confident of making the podium,” she said.
Chemtai will be competing in the event for the second time and is hopeful of righting the wrongs of last year.
“Last year, I had not trained well because I was still in school. However, this year, I am much more prepared and I am confident of doing well,” she said.
Also on a redemption mission at Chepsaita is Abigael Chemnagei who came a disappointing 34th in last year’s edition.
“Last year I had only just finished school and I wasn’t prepared. This year, I want to do better and even make the podium,” the youngster said.
Beyond personal ambitions, the Chepsaita Cross Country is a chance for hundreds – and even thousands – to get access to educational opportunities through scholarships.
Dubbed ‘Run for Education’, the race will award scholarships to the first 100 finishers, which they can give to a needy student in the local community or use it themselves.
Furthermore, proceeds from the competition will go towards the refurbishment of the Chepsaita Secondary School.
Speaking ahead of Saturday, race patron Farouk Kibet said providing children with equal educational opportunities is akin to shaping the future leaders of the country.
“It has always been my desire to see all children succeed in their lives. They are the leaders of the tomorrow but if we don’t provide them with such opportunities, how are they going to realise their potential?” he said.
Kibet expressed satisfaction with the strides made in enhancing educational opportunities for needy students in the community.
“In the first year, there were a number of schools, which we helped refurbish to enable students study in a conducive environment. In the second year, we are looking to provide needy students with scholarships to enable them continue their studies. A scholarship as little as Ksh 10,000 could do a lot of wonders for a student studying here in the village,” he said.
The first race of the day will be the 500m patron’s run at 7.15 am.
