Eldoret Set to Host Thrilling Athletics Kenya National Cross Country Championships
“Thanks to our sponsors—Betika, AMACO, the Uasin Gishu County Government, and other supporters—we have increased the prize money for the winners,” he said.
Top athletes prepare to compete at the Athletics Kenya National Cross Country Championships, a prestigious bronze-label event, set to take place at the Eldoret Sports Club on Saturday, February 8, 2025. Photo/Athletics Kenya.
Excitement is building in Eldoret as top athletes prepare to compete at the Athletics Kenya National Cross Country Championships, a prestigious bronze-label event, set to take place at the Eldoret Sports Club on Saturday, February 8, 2025.
Abraham Mutai, Chairman of the Local Organizing Committee (LOC), assured that preparations for the event are nearly complete, with just three days to go.
The competition will feature athletes in three categories: junior men and women (6km and 8km), senior men and women (10km), and a 2km event for both men and women, starting at 12 noon.
This marks the third time Eldoret City will host the national cross-country championships, having previously held the event in 2019 at the Eldoret Sports Club and in 2022 at Lobo Village in Kapseret.
Mutai confirmed that teams from all regions, including renowned athletes, are set to compete for the top prizes, which will kick off the 2025 track and field season.
“Thanks to our sponsors—Betika, AMACO, the Uasin Gishu County Government, and other supporters—we have increased the prize money for the winners,” he said.
Over 500 athletes, selected from regional championships across the country (including Western, Nyanza North, Nyanza South, Central Rift, South Rift, North Rift, Nairobi, Southern, Coast, Central, North Eastern, and Eastern regions), as well as from affiliates like the Kenya Defence Forces, Kenya Police Service, universities, and Kenya Prisons Service, will compete.
Additional participants include representatives from the National Youth Service, Kenya Wildlife Service, and Kenya Forest Service.
The prize pool includes Kshs 200,000 for the winners of the 10km senior men and women races, Kshs 140,000 for junior men and women, and Kshs 50,000 for the winners of the 2km event.
Prizes will be awarded to the top 10 finishers in each category, with the 10th place finisher receiving Kshs 10,000.
Technical Director Ibrahim Hussein highlighted some subtle changes to the course this year, making sure that spectators can view the action from all areas of the venue.
“We’ve made small adjustments, such as adding man-made hills, and the course will be more accessible for those coming to watch,” Hussein explained.
Event Director Kennedy Tanui assured that the organizing team is working tirelessly to ensure that everything complies with national standards.
“Entries have been completed, and the start list is being finalized. The athletes will arrive on Thursday evening, with accommodation ready for them. On Friday, we’ll hold bib collection, which athletes must attend individually, as required by the rules. We encourage athletes to come and pick up their bibs,” Tanui said.
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