Expect bigger & better Chepsaita Cross Country fiesta 2025, says Patron Farouk

This is the preliminary report by the event organisers, as revealed by Farouk Kibet, the Patron of the now World Athletics Gold Label event, whose primary goal is supporting education.

In its third edition, the Great Chepsaita Cross Country Run will maintain the previous edition’s theme – Run for Education, underlining the emphasis the organisers are putting on education through athletics.

“Talking about education funding, last year we had more than 1,600 pupils from more than 16 schools. This year we expect pupils from over 20 schools. Expectations are very high following the huge strides made in the previous editions, and we are sticking to the theme because we have seen great returns so far.

“We have taken students to Uganda and Nigeria from this great initiative and there are many unique and touching stories from individual students who have benefited so far. I believe that if you educate children and identify their talents, there are no limits as to how far they can go. That is why we are investing in this with zest and zeal,” said Farouk, adding that “refined talent backed up with education” is what is needed to birth the next global stars.

From all dimensions, Kibet wants the 2025 Great Chepsaita Cross Country Run to be bigger and better, promising to deliver a memorable event for the competitors, spectators and the local community at large.

“It will be a festival, everyone enjoying their respective relevant packages. For instance, we will increase prize money for the competitors, a reason more to come and compete knowing their talent is highly valued. For the elite athletes podium finishers, it will be KSh 750,000, KSh 0.5 million and KSh 300,000 respectively – for both men and women.

“This gives me joy because we are continuing to elevate the event, and I’m told by Athletics Kenya that this the best rewarding Cross Country event in Kenya. It is so fulfilling because we have shown that you can start something right in the countryside and with passion, make it global while impacting the local community immensely. It is the reason we keep going,” Forouk told Citizen Digital.

The prize and education scholarships amounts for this year have literally been increased by over 100 percent, contrasted with last year during the second edition.

The 2024 Great Chepsaita Cross Country Run allocated KSh 6 million in prize money across 18 categories, with top elite winners earning KSh 300,000, 250,000, and 150,000 for first, second, and third place, respectively. Ksh 10 million in scholarships was awarded to over 1,000 students from the edition.

Apart from the core mission of education, the event has been a platform for other crucial social activities; including medical camps, tree planting in tandem with the principle of enhancing an environment conscious sports community, showcasing of the rich culture and heritage of the people of Uasin Gishu County and anti-doping sensitization.

Farouk has in the meantime invited more sponsors to support the December 6 event, saying the Great Chepsaita Cross Country Run has so far proved to be an ideal event to invest in.

“So far we have seen a lot of interest from sponsors who have been part of this journey, and they are simply saying it is indeed a great initiative to put their money in. I encourage more and more to come and join hands with us in this life-changing endeavour.

“All the sponsors want is a good idea which is being implemented well with utmost transparency and accountability. That we have been doing brilliantly, rewarding athletes’ talents and giving them support to rise higher, as we educate kids from needy backgrounds,” further elucidated Farouk.

With Kenya basking in the glory of the ongoing World Athletics Championships in Tokyo, Japan where multiple world and Olympic champion Faith Kipyegon (1,500m, 10,000m world record holder Beatrice Chebet and marathoner Peres Jepchirchir had already won gold medals by Wednesday September 17 afternoon, Farouk paid a glowing tribute to the gallant Kenyan heroines, saying it is from events like Chepsaita such stars are born.

“First, I congratulate our athletes in Japan for continuing to put the country on the global map as a great sporting nation. While we celebrate them, we want to be part of the journey of the future stars. That is why we must invest in initiates like the Great Chepsaita Cross Country Run,” he averred, hinting that in the December 6 event, some global stars from Kenya will be present to inspire the next generation.

By the time of publishing this account, Dorcas Ewoi (1,500m) and Edmund Serem (3,000M steeplechase) had also won Kenya silver and bronze medals respectively at Tokyo championships.

Farouk is living his dream of making his hometown, Chepsaita, a convergence zone for stars joining hands through the Chepsaita Cross Country to raise literacy levels in the community by supporting education – helping the needy pursue their dreams.