Bragging rights and early-season momentum will be on the line this weekend as Kenya's top road warriors descend on Machakos Teachers' College ground for the opening leg of the revamped 2025/26 Athletics Kenya (AK) Cross Country Series.
In a bid to sharpen endurance and race-readiness ahead of the 2026 World Athletics Cross Country Championships, slated for January 10 in Tallahassee, Florida, AK has restructured its calendar to give athletes more competitive mileage before the global showdown.
"The 2026 World Athletics Cross Country Championships will be held on January 10, 2026, in Tallahassee, Florida, USA."
"To ensure that Kenyan athletes are well prepared for this important event, AK has adjusted its 2025-2026 cross country calendar," the federation said in an earlier statement.
Saturday’s meet, set for the Machakos Teachers Training College, will feature four hotly-contested races: the senior men’s and women’s 10km, the U20 men’s 8km, the U20 women’s 6km and a 2km loop race for both men and women. AK has urged athletes to register through the federation’s website.
At the previous edition of the Machakos cross country meet held in October 2024, Asbel Kiprono and Maureen Chepkoech bagged the titles in the senior races. Kiprono braved the dusty course to cut the tape in 32:11.2 ahead of Francis Abong (32:14.7) and Victor Kipruto (32:29.2).
On the other hand, Chepkoech clocked 36:22.9 to claim the women's title, outkicking Christine Njoki (36:32.22) and Esther Chemtai (37:13.7).Yvonne Chepchirchir won the junior women's race in 21:40.02 while Silas Senchura clocked 25:27.42 to claim the junior men's title.
AK called on athletes to ensure they pick up their bib numbers in person on Friday at the event's venue. "All athletes are required to collect their bid numbers on Friday at the event venue, starting from 9 am to 6 pm."
"Please note that issuance of running bibs/numbers will not be conducted on the event's day," AK said in a statement.
The federation further wished the participants luck as the cross-country season officially kicks off on Saturday. "We wish all the participants the very best as they prepare and participate in the 1st Cross Country challenge in Machakos.
"We wish all the participants the very best as they prepare and participate in the 1st Cross Country challenge in Machakos," AK said in a statement.
