Edwin Kiplangat Bett and Cynthia Chepkurui stole the spotlight at the fifth edition of the Betika Cross Country Race, held at Kericho Teachers Cross Country on Saturday.
The races sponsored by betting firm Betika featured 10 km races for men and women, a mixed relay competition and a 2 km masters for men and women aged 50 and above.
Bett clinched the men’s title with a time of 29:22, edging out Wesley Kipkemoi, who finished second in 29:23, while Festus Kiprop settled for third place in 29:26. The 10km men’s race attracted more than 700 athletes.
Bett, a resident of Keringet in Nakuru County, expressed delight in his victory, thanking him for the achievement. He previously won the Betika Cross Country race in 2019.
“I aimed for a top-three finish, knowing the competition would be tough. Winning feels great, and I am pleased with my performance. I gave it my all, and it is rewarding to take home the title. My hope is to train for marathon races for next year.” said Bett.
Chepkurui delivered an impressive performance to clinch the women’s 10km race in 33:02, edging out Emmaculate Chepkosgei, who clocked 33:06, while Brenda Chepchumba completed the podium in 33:07.
The victory capped an impressive year for Chepkurui, who finished fourth in the women’s U20 race at the 2026 World Athletics Cross Country Championships in Florida in January.
Chepkirui said she had targeted a podium finish and was delighted to clinch the title. She added that she was now focused on improving her speed ahead of the Athletics Kenya (AK) Cross Country series.
“My target was to finish on the podium, so I am happy that I won this race. The competition was stiff, but I am pleased with my performance. I will now focus on improving my speed as I prepare for the AK Cross Country series,” said Chepkurui.
Seasoned and upcoming athletes from Kericho, Nakuru, Nairobi, Kiambu, Nyahururu, Elgeyo Marakwet, Nandi, Bomet, Narok, Iten and Baringo counties featured in the race categories, with over 1,000 athletes attending.
In the 2km Masters men’s race, 53-year-old Henry Kibwogo from Limuru, Kiambu County, claimed victory in 6:22.2, narrowly beating Johnstone Bett, who clocked 6:22.8, while Philip Kemei finished third in 6:23.2.
In the women’s masters race, Rosaline David emerged victorious in 7:37.8, followed by Joyce Kirui in 8:00.5, while Zedah Chepkoech completed the podium in 8:20.8.
Kibwogo expressed delight at his victory, saying maintaining his fitness and training had not been easy. He said the win was his second consecutive triumph in the race, having also emerged victorious last year.
He described the race as good and appealed to AK to introduce master’s categories at the Standard Chartered Marathon and other Nairobi Marathon events to give veteran athletes an opportunity to showcase their talent.
In the 4x400m mixed relay race, the Central Rift region team shone their way to victory in 23:19.3.
Evans Biwott and Ibrahim Kipruto Mercy Chepsoyo impressed the cheering crowds as they breezed past their competitors to clinch the number one slot.
Betika, head of branding, Eric Mwiti, observed that this turnout highlights the competition’s growth and reinforced the company’s dedication to supporting athletes in Kenya.
“This year’s Betika Cross Country has recorded the largest turnout since the event began, which is a strong reflection of the interest in athletics and the value of creating platforms where athletes can compete, develop and showcase their talent,” said Mwiti.
Mwiti added that Betika’s continued partnership with Athletics Kenya was part of a long-term commitment to the development of athletics, with the agreement now entering its second year as the country looks ahead to the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles.
“2028 Olympic Games on the horizon: sustained investment and opportunities for competition will be important in helping Kenyan athletes prepare for the challenges ahead,” said Mwiti.
He also congratulated Kenya on securing the right to host the 2029 World Athletics Championships in Nairobi, a historic achievement that will make Kenya the first African country to stage the global track and field championships.
The event had a total prize pool of more than Sh1.1 million shared among winners across the various categories.
In the 10km races, Bett and Chepkurui each pocketed Sh150,000 for winning the men’s and women’s titles, respectively, while Kipkemoi and Chepkosgei each received Sh100,000 for finishing second, while Kiprop and Chepchumba took home Sh75,000 each for their third-place finishes.
Athletes who finished fourth and fifth were awarded Sh50,000 and Sh40,000, respectively, while those who placed sixth to tenth received Sh20,000 each.
In the mixed relay competition, the winning team received Sh50,000, with the second and third-placed teams taking home Sh30,000 and Sh20,000, respectively.
In both the men’s and women’s masters races, the winners received Sh30,000 each, while the second and third-placed finishers earned Sh20,000 and Sh10,000, respectively.
By Sarah Njagi
