Preparations for the upcoming Great Chepsaita Cross Country Run are gaining momentum as organisers work towards making the fifth edition of the competition a success. The major athletics event is scheduled to take place on December 5, 2026, at Chepsaita in Turbo Constituency, Uasin Gishu County. The competition is expected to attract approximately 10,000 athletes, with participants from 21 countries having confirmed their participation.The event has continued to grow in popularity, attracting professional athletes, upcoming runners and international competitors. Beyond the sporting competition, the Great Chepsaita Cross Country has become an important community development initiative, particularly through education scholarships, support for schools, healthcare programmes and opportunities for local businesses.

Race patron Farouk Kibet has urged athletes to prepare properly and avoid using prohibited substances to improve their performance. He has emphasised the importance of clean athletics, discipline and hard work, warning that athletes who engage in doping should not expect to participate in the competition.

The organisers are also highlighting the benefits that residents of Chepsaita and neighbouring communities have received through the annual cross-country event. These include educational opportunities for disadvantaged learners, infrastructure development, business opportunities and the promotion of local talent. The preparations for the 2026 Great Chepsaita Cross Country Run have entered an important stage following the official launch of the competition on November 5, 2026.

The event is scheduled for December 5, and organisers are working to ensure that the venue and competition meet the required international standards.

According to the organising committee, athletes from 21 countries have confirmed their participation. The competition is expected to attract around 10,000 runners, demonstrating the growing international recognition of the Chepsaita event.

Organising director Barnabas Korir has indicated that preparations are progressing well, with registration having closed in several categories.

The organisers are also preparing for a strong field of competitors who will compete for a share of approximately KSh20 million in prize money.Kibet has warned competitors against relying on prohibited substances to improve their speed, endurance or physical strength. He insists that the competition should maintain its reputation as a clean sporting event where athletes win through natural ability, discipline and proper preparation.

His message is particularly important because the competition offers significant prize money, attracting highly competitive athletes from Kenya and other countries.

Doping has remained a serious concern in athletics, especially in long-distance running. The use of prohibited substances can expose athletes to health risks, damage their careers and undermine the credibility of sporting competitions.

Kibet has made it clear that athletes who use prohibited substances will not be allowed to compete in the Chepsaita event.He has also challenged authorities to strengthen efforts against doping networks that target athletes and encourage the use of prohibited substances.

The warning is intended to protect young runners who may be tempted by shortcuts in their search for success. Young athletes need proper guidance from coaches, parents and sports organisations so that they can build sustainable careers.

The organisers want the competition to become an example of sporting integrity, where talent and hard work are rewarded rather than drug use.

Approximately 10,000 athletes expected to participate

The fifth edition of the Great Chepsaita Cross Country is expected to attract approximately 10,000 participants.

According to event director Barnabas Korir, athletes from 21 countries have confirmed their participation.

The competition will provide opportunities for different age groups, including children, junior athletes, senior citizens and professional runners.The elite men's and women's races will cover 10 kilometres, while the Under-20 athletes will compete in separate distances.

This arrangement ensures that the event is not limited to professional athletes but also gives children and ordinary community members an opportunity to participate.

The competition will have approximately KSh20 million in prize money distributed across different categories.

Winners in the elite men's and women's 10-kilometre races are expected to receive KSh750,000 each, while second-place finishers will receive KSh500,000 and third-place finishers KSh350,000.

These financial rewards are expected to attract competitive athletes while encouraging upcoming runners to work towards achieving their sporting ambitions. When thousands of athletes, spectators, officials and visitors travel to the region, they create demand for different goods and services.

Local traders can benefit from selling food, drinks, clothing and other products to visitors attending the event.

Transport operators can also benefit from increased demand as people travel to and from the competition venue.

Accommodation providers, small businesses and other service providers can receive additional customers during the event.

For small-scale traders, such opportunities can provide additional income that helps them support their families and expand their businesses.He has encouraged local entrepreneurs to take advantage of the visitors expected during the event.

The growing international recognition of Chepsaita also provides an opportunity to promote the area's tourism potential.

Visitors coming from other countries can discover the region, interact with residents and experience the local culture.

This can help establish Chepsaita as a destination for sports tourism and other activities.

The economic impact is therefore not limited to the day of the competition. With proper planning and continued investment, the region can benefit from increased visibility and business opportunities throughout the year. Kenya is internationally recognised for producing successful long-distance runners, but many talented young people in rural communities do not always have access to professional training facilities and opportunities to compete at a high level.

The Great Chepsaita Cross Country provides an opportunity for these athletes to demonstrate their abilities.

Young runners can compete alongside established athletes and learn from their experiences.

The competition also gives coaches and talent scouts an opportunity to identify promising athletes who could eventually represent Kenya in national and international competitions.

Barnabas Korir has previously highlighted athletes who have progressed through the competition to achieve success.Among the names associated with talent development through the event are Matthew Kipkoech, Caren Chepng'eno and Dorcus Ndiema.

Matthew Kipkoech, for example, won bronze in the Under-20 race at the 2024 World Cross Country Championships in Belgrade, Serbia.

Such achievements demonstrate the importance of creating opportunities for upcoming athletes to develop their abilities.

Kibet has also encouraged young runners to learn from established Kenyan champions, including Geoffrey Kamworor, Caroline Gitonga and Amos Kipruto.

Their achievements demonstrate what can be accomplished through discipline, determination and proper training.Challenging course expected to test athletes

The Chepsaita Cross Country course is expected to provide a difficult challenge for competitors.

The terrain will test athletes' endurance, strength, speed and ability to maintain their performance under demanding conditions.

Race director Kennedy Tanui has described the course as one of the toughest cross-country routes in the country.

Organisers have indicated that drinking-water points and sponge stations will be strategically positioned along the course to support athletes.

These arrangements are important because participants will need adequate hydration during the competition.

The organisers are also expected to work with relevant stakeholders to ensure that the race is conducted according to the necessary sporting requirements.Healthcare and community development

Healthcare has also featured in the wider community benefits associated with the Great Chepsaita Cross Country.Previous editions have included medical camps intended to provide residents with access to health services.

For example, preparations for the 2024 edition included plans for a medical camp targeting more than 15,000 people.

Such initiatives demonstrate how the event can be used to bring healthcare services closer to communities.

Medical camps can provide opportunities for residents to receive health assessments and professional advice without having to travel long distances.

The competition has also been associated with other community development priorities, including roads, electricity connectivity and support for local institutions.