ELDORET, Uasin Gishu – The Great Chepsaita Cross Country Run is set to host its most prestigious event to date on Saturday, December 6, 2025, attracting a record-breaking field of over 10,000 athletes from 41 countries. Now in its third edition, the race has been elevated to Gold Label status on the World Athletics Cross Country Tour, making it one of only two such events in Africa, alongside the Sirikwa Classic Cross Country.

This upgraded status signifies adherence to the highest international standards, covering prize money, media coverage, and medical facilities. A technical delegate from World Athletics is expected on-site to oversee preparations and ensure compliance, cementing Chepsaita's position on the global athletics map.

The event, held at Chepkemel Secondary School in Turbo Constituency, Uasin Gishu County, has seen its prize money more than doubled for the 2025 edition. Winners in the elite senior men's and women's 10km races will each take home KSh 750,000, with second and third place finishers receiving KSh 500,000 and KSh 350,000 respectively. Prize money will be awarded to the top 30 finishers in the senior categories. The Under-20 champions will be awarded KSh 200,000 each.

So What for Kenya?

The rise of the Chepsaita Cross Country to a Gold Label event is a significant development for Kenyan athletics. It not only provides a crucial platform for local athletes to compete against international talent on home soil but also boosts the region's economy and global profile. The influx of athletes and officials provides a direct economic injection, while the international media coverage showcases the Uasin Gishu region as a world-class hub for athletics, the 'City of Champions'.

The event's theme, "Run for Education," underscores its deep community impact. Race patron Farouk Kibet announced that the initiative will sponsor needy students, with over KSh 20 million in scholarships planned for this year, a significant increase from previous years. This focus on education aims to empower young athletes and provide them with opportunities beyond their sporting careers. Furthermore, Kibet has announced plans to sponsor two local athletes to attend the World Cross Country Championships in Florida, USA.

Athletics Kenya (AK) is currently deliberating on whether to have the national team preparing for the 2026 World Cross Country Championships participate in the Chepsaita race. According to Barnaba Korir, the event's CEO and AK's Director of Youth Development, discussions are ongoing with the national team coach to ensure that only athletes in peak condition compete, given the demanding nature of the course.

A Platform for Talent and Community

First held in 2023, the Great Chepsaita Cross Country Run was founded by Farouk Kibet with the goal of creating an international standard event in his hometown and uplifting the local community. The race has grown rapidly, from a Bronze Label event in its inaugural year to the current Gold Label status. The course itself has been modified to meet the rigorous standards of World Athletics, featuring a challenging 2-kilometre loop with varied terrain.

The 2025 edition will feature a wide range of races, from the elite 10km events to categories for junior athletes and children as young as five. Registration for the senior and U-20 categories has already closed due to high demand, as required by World Athletics regulations three weeks before the competition. In a move to honour the country's sporting heroes, Kibet will also host a special breakfast on December 2 for veteran Kenyan athletes, many of whom have been neglected despite their contributions.

The event will also feature a medical camp and tree-planting activities, promoting health and environmental consciousness within the community. With its massive international turnout, significant prize money, and deep-rooted community initiatives, the Chepsaita Cross Country is poised to become a landmark event in the global athletics calendar, further solidifying Kenya's legacy as a powerhouse of distance running.