Cabinet Secretary of Sports Ababu Namwamba has expressed confidence that the upcoming Great Chepsaita Cross Country event will elevate Kenyan Athletics to new international heights.
The event, which has attracted over 6000 athletes is scheduled for December 2 at the Chepsaita Secondary School in Uasin Gishu County.
During the launch at Weston Hotel, Namwamba emphasized the significance of Chepsaita in propelling Kenyan athletics onto the global stage.
"Athletics is the crown of Kenyan sports. While we engage in various sports, athletics holds a special place as it has effectively showcased our nation. Chepsaita will serve as a platform to identify and recruit exceptional athletes who can proudly represent Kenya in international competitions," he said.
''Chepsaita will be like no other race and it will meet the international standards,'' he added.
The race has been reduced to 8.05 kilometers for both senior men and women due to the steepness of the field.
Women under 20 will run 4.91 km while their male counterparts in the category will cover 6.48 km. The area has a maximum altitude of 2051m and a minimum altitude of 2022m.
Encouraging athletes to participate in large numbers, Namwamba noted: "On December 2, all roads, airways, and footpaths will lead to Uasin Gishu County. This is your opportunity to shine and secure a place to be nurtured by AK and other recruiters."
The CS warned athletes about the use of substances to enhance their performance. He stated: "We will support you in everything and anything but there is one thing we can't tolerate—doping. Please refrain from that and run clean.''
Winners in various categories are expected to bag a lucrative Sh100,000 prize money, with all athletes in the top 30 athletes being rewarded.
The event, according to Patron Farouk Kibet, aims not only to celebrate athletic prowess but also to combat doping and cultivate young talents.
''Many youths are getting misled because of the use of substances. We have seen the talents of the youths go to waste because there is no place to nurture them. We want to tell the youth that athletics pays. When you run, we will be able to nurture you and reward you,'' said Kibet.
''Even those that don’t have running shoes. We will support you. We are using this event to encourage young people and build them. The athletes are there but nobody wants to support them. So as a leader, I thought I should take the initiative,'' he added.
World 800m champion Mary Moraa and reigning World Cross-country bronze medalist Agnes Ngetich were among those present during the launch.
