2nd edition of Teso North Cross Country to feature 5,000 participant

Chepsaita Marathon sponsor ACC Charles Cheseto during a media briefing for Teso North Pre-trial Chepsaita Marathon at an Amagoro Hotel on Wednesday flanked by county officials and other stakeholders/IMAGE /HILTON OTENYO

The second edition of Teso North Cross-Country has attracted 5,000 participants.

 The event will be held at Chelemuk Comprehensive School on November 22.

 Assistant County commissioner Charles Cheseto who sponsors the event said the second edition will be co-sponsored by President William Ruto’s Aide Farouk Kibet with a cash reward of Sh1 million.

 This year’s race whose theme is "Run for an end to Gender-based Violence”, will see top 100 runners benefit from scholarships of Sh10,000 each.

 "I want to put the record straight that Teso North Cross-Country has no political affiliation but seeks to end gender-based violence," he said.

 Cheseto said this year's theme on GBV is critical in ending the vice, which is on the increase in Busia county, thus the need for concerted efforts to tame it.

 Cheseto said 16 countries from Africa will participate in the Chepsaita Marathon in Uasin Gishu.

 He cited Bernard Okomol, who landed full scholarship at Chepsaita High School for taking position one at the subcounty, position one at the county level and position 46 at Chepsaita marathon in 2024.

 In the Chepsaita marathon last year, the winner in the men's elite race, Samwel Chebolei Masai from Kenya, received Sh300,000. Runners-up were awarded Sh250,000 with the third-placed taking home Sh150,000.

 Loice Chekwemoi from Uganda, who won the 10km race in 34:32 minutes, received Sh300,000.

 The second and third in place received Sh250,000 and Sh150,000, respectively.

 In addition to over Sh20 million in cash prizes for the winners, scholarships will be awarded to needy children in the Chepsaita community, covering more than Sh20 million in school fees.

 Dhamira Moja Foundation executive director Sarah Martha said the organisation is leading the fight against the eradication of GBV in the county.

 "We are organising 16 days of activism in the fight against GBV starting November 22, adding that it's not only about GBV but also talent promotion," she said.

 Martha gave startling statistics that in June this year, there were 26 reported cases of GBV, 16 in July and 13 in August, noting that many GBV cases are not reported.

FIDS executive director Roseline Wandaki said drug abuse, suicide and depression have increased.

Teso North Deputy county commissioner Solomon Kitai thanked the sponsor and stakeholders for noble idea of incorporating GBV in the marathon, calling for non-politicisation of the Teso North Cross-Country.

 National Agency for the Campaign Against Drug Abuse (Nacada) county coordinator Zeka Wekesa said they will use this forum to advise youth on the dangers of alcohol and substance abuse.

 We shall support the cross country by sponsoring a roadshow in December in Teso North and Teso South.

 Athletics Kenya Teso North chairman Oroni Josephat said the challenges they are facing are not only in marathon but other disciplines like field and track events in terms of transport for athletes.

 "They need support from the government and other sponsors. No doubt we can have many Ferdinand Omanyalas in Teso North," Oroni said.

 "In Western Kenya, Busia county has the best athletes in short races. We need to introduce sprints in Teso North. We don't take teams beyond regional level. The patron and the county government should support coaching courses."

 Oroni was accompanied by the county vice chairperson Ann Otiti, National Technical official Cornel Omanyala, Teso North vice chairman Abel Okiror. Others present included Farouk Kibet's PA Isokat Bethwell.

 Sponsors of the event include Kenya Red Cross, Nacada, Dhamira Moja Community Foundation, FIDS, Athletics Kenya, county and national governments.