Reigning champion Masai on a mission to defend his Chepsaita crown

After a rollercoaster 2025 season, Masai is eager to rediscover his winning rhythm.

by TEDDY MULEI

Sports06 December 2025 - 07:16

In Summary

‎Masai stormed to victory last year, cutting the tape in 30:49 ahead of Robert Kiprop (30:58) and Mathew Kipruto (31:12).
‎Race director Barnaba Korir expects fireworks at the iconic Chepsaita terrain.

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Reigning champion Samwel Masai will be hoping to defend his Chepsaita Cross Country crown as the third edition of the prestigious World Athletics Gold Label event takes place on Saturday.

After a rollercoaster 2025 season, Masai is eager to rediscover his winning rhythm.

Masai stormed to victory last year, crossing the line in 30:49 ahead of Robert Kiprop (30:58) and Mathew Kipruto (31:12).

In the women’s race, Uganda’s Loice Chekwemoi claimed first place in 34:32, followed by Ethiopia’s Shimeles Mekides Molla (35:57) and Kenya’s Celestine Biwot (36:43).

This year, Masai returns with something to prove. His season opened with a 14th-place finish over 5,000m in 13:22.86 at the Yangtze Athletics Diamond Gala.

He then missed out on World Championships qualification twice: first in the 10,000m at the Prefontaine Classic, where he finished 10th in 27:07.65, and again in the 5,000m trials at Ulinzi Sports Complex, clocking 13:40.83 for fifth.

His latest outing saw him finish ninth at the 73rd Japan Corporate Teams Athletics Championship, recording 28:15.29 over 10,000m.

Race director Barnaba Korir expects fireworks at the iconic Chepsaita terrain.

“With athletes from 21 countries confirming participation, the competition continues to grow remarkably with every edition,” he said, adding that preparations are complete for a world-class showdown.

Masai’s path to defending his title will be far from smooth. South Africa’s Werner Frederik Kotze, aiming for a sub-32-minute run, is among the key threats.

“Kenya is a very nice country with lovely people. I am here for fitness and hoping for 32 minutes tomorrow,” Kotze said.

“My training has been going well, but acclimatising to the high altitude has been really hard.” He also praised the race’s education initiative, describing it as “a wonderful cause helping needy children.”

Uganda’s Martin Kiprotich, fresh from a second-place finish at the Cross Internacional de San Sebastian in November, will also fancy his chances of upstaging the local favourite.

Botswana’s two-time national steeplechase champion Lopang Oontse and South Africa’s Collins Kgadima further add spice to an already talent-packed men’s field.

In the women’s race, Sandrafelis Chebet, the 2018 Valencia 10km champion, is determined to bounce back after a disappointing outing at the national cross country championships, where she placed 19th in 36:02.

Her 2025 season has mirrored Masai’s, including a DNF at the Seoul Marathon followed by a 12th-place finish in Lanzhou.

South Africa’s Phemelo Matshaba, the 2023 African U-20 3,000m steeplechase silver medallist, is also competing.

“I specialise in steeplechase, road running, the 10k and half marathon. I’ll give my best tomorrow,” Matshaba said.

Uganda’s Risper Cherop, who impressed with sixth place at the World Mountain and Trail Running Championships in September, is also hunting for glory.

Korir confirmed that winners in the U-20 category will earn a golden opportunity.

“Once winners are identified tomorrow, Athletics Kenya will ensure they join the World Cross Country residential camp in Embu,” he said.

“AK will also assist with travel documents so they can accompany Team Kenya to Tallahassee, Florida, as observers during the World Cross Country next January.”