Loice Chekwemoi wins in Chepsaita (© Michelle Katami)
Uganda’s Loice Chekwemoi will defend her title and Kenya’s Ishmael Kipkurui will look to regain the crown he claimed in 2023 when The Great Chepsaita Cross Country Run – a World Athletics Cross Country Tour Gold event – takes place in Chepsaita, on the outskirts of Eldoret, on Saturday (6).
Competition director Kennedy Tanui confirmed that athletes from more than 20 countries have confirmed their participation. As well as Uganda and Kenya, the countries represented include Ethiopia, USA, China, Japan and Djibouti.
World U20 3000m steeplechase silver medallist Chekwemoi returns seeking a repeat win in the senior women's 10km. Last year's race featured a fascinating duel between the 18-year-old African 3000m steeplechase champion and Ethiopia’s Mekides Shimeles, after the latter made an early surge only to be hunted down by Chekwemoi during the last lap.
This time, Rebecca Mwangi will be among the athletes hoping to bring the title back to Kenya. The 24-year-old claimed African 10,000m silver last year and became the national 5000m champion in June.
Rispa Cherop, who finished sixth in the classic race at the World Mountain and Trail Running Championships in September, will be another star from Uganda to watch out for.
Phemelo Matshaba, the 2023 African U20 3000m steeplechase silver medallist and South African champion, will be among those joining them to race the Chepsaita course.
The men’s race will also be held over 10km and Kipkurui, who won during the first edition of The Great Chepsaita Cross Country Run, will be among those hunting for victory. The 20-year-old finished fourth in the 10,000m at the World Athletics Championships in Tokyo in September.
The race is also set to feature a number of athletes currently in the Kenyan national camp preparing for the World Cross Country Championships in Tallahassee next month.
After securing a second-place finish over 6.9km at the Cross Internacional de San Sebastian Cross Country Tour Gold event at the start of November, Uganda’s Martin Kiprotich will be another star to look out for.
Many track stars see the cross-country season as a build-up towards a successful track season, and some of the other notable names expected to be in action in Chepsaita include George Manangoi.
Lopang Oontse of Botswana, a two-time national champion in the 3000m steeplechase, and South Africa’s Collins Kgadima will also be among those in action.
The land has been expanded since the first edition of the race in 2023. "Hills, valleys, a river and a shower point are all on the course,” said Tanui. “A good cross-country needs a vast space, and Chepsaita has offered that.”
Not only has the land been expanded, but the prize-money structure has also grown.
According to event director Barnaba Korir, KES 750,000 ($5,800) is the prize on offer for the first-place finisher. The prizes go down to 10th place.
Justin Lagat for World Athletics
