Jebet, Chepkoech highlight list of elite athletes set to grace Chepsaita Cross Country

World Cross Country senior women's 8km bronze medallist Agnes Jebet Ngetich is among the stars set to illuminate the inaugural Great Chepsaita Cross Country slated for December 3 at Chepsaita High School in Uasin Gishu County.

Ngetich who missed out on the fifth Athletics Kenya Cross Country meet in Iten will be keen to make a comeback when she faces a strong contingent that includes 2022 Boston Marathon champion Perez Jepchirchir.

The 30-year-old will be looking to stage a comeback after withdrawing from the New York City Marathon on the eve of the race earlier this month citing a lower leg injury.

3000m steeplechase world record holder Beatrice Chepkoech will also be looking to wow the fans come Saturday.

Chepkoech made a comeback during the Budapest World Championships after a nagging stress fracture that forced her out of the 2022 Oregon World Championships.

Millions up for grabs at inaugural Great Chepsaita Cross Country

She finished second after a spirited run against Bahrain's Winfred Yavi. She also set a meeting record at the Lausanne Diamond League on June 30.

She will be up against 2017 World Cross Country champion Irene Cheptai who recently won the 2023 Copenhagen Half Marathon.

Youngster Loyce Chemnung is also bracing for an uphill task in the high-altitude Chepsaita area on Saturday.

In the men's category, 2023 Delhi Half Marathon champion Daniel Simiu Ebenyo will be keen to cause upset.

Simiu gave Kenya its first medal at the World Athletics Championships in Budapest as he earned silver in the men’s 10,000m as Uganda’s Joshua Cheptegei defended his crown.

The 2023 Okpekpe International 10km Road Race champion and record holder will be keen to pick up from where he left off to lower his personal best.

“If I will not be there, who will be? I am seriously hungry for more victories. I want to perform better than I have ever. This is part of my training ahead of the world cross country. I am told that the course is very tough, meaning, it will be a good race for me to test my endurance and fitness," Simiu offered.

Kipchumba sets new Chinese all-comers’ record at Shanghai Marathon

Simiu will be keen to avenge against Sebastian Sawe who snatched a lead from him in the last 80 metres in Riga, Latvia to win in 59 minutes and 10 seconds.

The victory enabled the country to reclaim the World Half Marathon title that was lost to Uganda's Jacob Kiplimo in 2020.

They are joined by 2023 World Road Running bronze medallist Nicholas Kimeli. Kimeli is fresh from winning the fifth Athletics Kenya Cross Country Championships held in Iten, Elgeyo Marakwet County on November 25. Just like his competitor Simiu, Kimeli will be using this race as a springboard ahead of the 2024 Cross Country Championships.

Reynold Cheruiyot's world record ratified

Elite Athletes Confirmed for Inaugural Great Chepsaita Cross Country

1. Perez Jepchirchir

2. Ruth Jebet.

3. Beatrice Chepkoech

4. Nicholas Kimeli

5. Agnes Jebet Ngetich

6. Daniel Simiu Ebenyo

7. Sebastian Sawe

8. Ismael Kirui

9. Irine jeptai

10. Loyce chemnung

11. Brian Kiptoo