More than 41 nationalities to grace Chepsaita Cross Country

More than 41 nationalities are set to participate in this year's edition of The Great Chepsaita Cross Country Run scheduled for 6th December.

According to the Local Organizing Committee (LOC) member Kennedy Tanui, the event is way above the five recommended nationalities for an international event.

Tanui noted that the event is now an international race, and the World Athletics has appointed a technical delegate who will be on the ground as of tomorrow to oversee the preparations.

On prize money, Tanui said, "The senior men and women winners will each get Ksh. 750,000, second positions will carry home 500,000, third positions 300,000, and it will go all the way to position thirty, who will receive the prize money."

He said the race has conformed to World Athletics regulations, such as the application of licenses, inspection, and submission of all drawings as required.

Race organizing director Barnaba Korir reiterated that preparations are going on well, as over 100 international athletes have been registered.

"Over ten thousand athletes have been registered, and registration closed as required by World Athletics," said Korir.

He said the LOC had an easy time with preparations for the third edition after gaining a lot of experience in the past two editions.

"There is a slight change in the course in tandem with the requirements by World Athletics," added Korir.

The race patron, Farouk Kibet, cautioned the participants not to dare doping, saying, "The Great Chepsaita Cross Country has been a clean race, and it should be maintained as it is."

"We had no doping cases in the past races, but I know with the huge prize money associated, there is a likelihood of wayward athletes trying it, but we are warning such characters," noted Kibet.

Kibet said the race is geared towards tapping talent and boosting education in the society.