Kipkirui to hunt second Chepsaita Cross Country title amid loaded international field

Kenya's Ishmael Kipkirui will be among the lead athletes who will look to claim bragging rights at The Great Chepsaita Cross Country Run scheduled for Saturday, 6 December in the outskirts of Eldoret.

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Kipkirui, an U20 World Cross Country Championships gold medalist, will go out for his second title in Chepsaita, having won the first edition of the World Tour Gold event in 2023.

Jebitok and Kipkorir triumph in inaugural Great Chepsaita Cross Country Run

The 20-year-old will be joined by established athletes in the men's senior race, which will also feature a number of athletes currently in the Kenyan national camp preparing for the World Cross Country Championships in Tallahassee next month.

Among Kipkirui's biggest competitors will be Uganda's Martin Kiprotich, who comes in hot form, having secured a second-place finish over 6.9km at the Cross Internacional de San Sebastian Cross Country Tour Gold event at the start of November.

With athletes from over 20 countries having confirmed their participation, there will also be the presence of Botswana's two-time national champion in the 3,000m steeplechase Lopang Oontse, and South Africa’s Collins Kgadima.

Kenyan and former World Under 20 champion Geroge Manangoi will also be in the race, even as he builds up for his track season.

In the women's side, Kenya's assault will the elite 10km race will be led by 24-year-old and national 5000m champion Rebecca Mwangi, who will have the hard task of wrestling the title away from Ugandan defending champion Loice Chekwemoi.

World U20 3000m steeplechase silver medalist Chekwemoi will return to Chepsaita seeking a repeat win of her fascinating win last year, which saw her duel with Ethiopia’s Mekides Shimeles, after the latter had made an early surge, only to be hunted down by the 18-year-old during the last lap.

Rispa Cherop, who finished sixth in the classic race at the World Mountain and Trail Running Championships in September, will be another star from Uganda to watch out for, alongside South Africa's Phemelo Matshaba, who was the 2023 African U20 3000m steeplechase silver medalist.

Taking place for a third straight year, this year's edition promises a bigger vast of land and lucrative rewards, with a total of Ksh20 million allocated as prize money across various categories, and an additional Ksh22 million set aside for education scholarships

Millions up for grabs at Great Chepsaita Cross Country Run

Additional reporting by World Athletics.