by Justin Lagat
Justin Lagat is traveling in the States now, and this is his column on Kenyan cross country.
A cross-country event that was only inaugurated last year, The Great Chepsaita Cross Country event in Kenya, has been upgraded to a Gold Level event and will take place on the 7th of December.
The Theme for the Run is: Run to Educate.
Interestingly, regardless of their age and level of education, all the top 100 finishers will win educational scholarships.
“You can run to win your own scholarship, your child’s scholarship, or another needy child. If you don’t have anyone to award the scholarship to, you can leave it up to the Chepsaita organizers to identify the deserving candidate. The Organizers will ensure the scholarships go to the right schools to pay for the selected children’s education.” This is stated on the race website.
Eliud Kipchoge, the most excellent marathon runner of all time, was present during the launch of the second edition and observed that, with the event being upgraded to a Gold Level, more international stars would attend, raising its status.
Also present during the launch was two-time world marathon champion Abel Kirui, who was happy with the event organizers for involving schools in developing talents in children at a young age.
The first edition, which took place last year, was a huge success, and it can only get better from there.
Barnaba Korir, the event director and chairman of Athletics Kenya youth development, said, “As a result of last year’s performances, we have come up with several initiatives that will help the athletes in school so that we grow education alongside sports. Construction of playgrounds will also be part of the Great Run.”
This coming weekend, the 28th of September, marks the beginning of the cross country season, with Castlegar International Cross Country and TCS Lidingoloppet being the first events on the World Athletics Cross Country series events.
Next month, the two Gold-Level events will happen in Amorebieta and Atapuerca in Spain on the 20th and 27th of October, respectively. Spain will host six Gold-Level events out of the fourteen scheduled for the season. Kenya will have two: the Great Chepsaita Cross Country and the now-famous Sirikwa Classic Cross Country, the series’ last event in February next year.
France is the other country that will host more than one Gold Level cross country meet with Cross International Le Maine Libre-Allonnes-Sarthe happening on the 17th of November and the Festival du Cross-Country on 20-24 November.
Great Britain, Italy, the USA, and Belgium are the other countries hosting the remaining gold-level events.
To learn more about the Great Chepsaita Cross Country Run for Education, please go to: https://www.chepsaitarun.co.ke/
