This archive report was first published on 18 October 2019.
On Saturday, Paul Boit Farm in Ndalat Hills, Nandi County, will host the Isaiah Kiplagat Memorial Ndalat Gaa Cross Country, an event that marks the opening of the 2019/2020 season.
World 10,000m bronze medallist Rhonex Kipruto is back to defend his men's 10km race title, an event he won last year. Kipruto, the World Under-20 10,000m champion, will face stiff competition from other top athletes.
Among the top contenders is World Under-20 5,000m champion Edward Zakayo, who is also the Commonwealth 5,000m bronze medallist and newly crowned Family Bank Half Marathon champion David Simiu.
Other top athletes expected to participate in the event include World Under-20 3,000m steeplechase silver medallist Leonard Bett and seasoned cross country runner Julius Tanki.
On the women's side, World Under-20 5000m champion Beatrice Chebet is out to launch her season with a possible victory in the women's 10km race. However, she will have to dig deep as she prepares to face defending champion Sandra Chebet, 2017 World Cross Country champion Irene Cheptai, and seasoned long distance runner Alice Aprot.
The event, sponsored by Safaricom, Kass Media, Nandi County Government, Kenya Pipeline, and Mosop Constituency CDF among others, has a prize fund of Sh1.5 million at stake.
According to Athletics Kenya Central Rift chairman Abraham Mutai, the event will feature 12 races, including senior men and women's 10km and junior men and women's 8km. There will also be 6km races for secondary school boys and girls, 4km for boys and girls aged 10-14, and 500m for boys and girls aged 4-9.
"We are hosting the event at a new ground to accommodate more spectators and ample parking," said Mutai.
Additionally, the top 10 youngsters from secondary school and other age group events will participate in a mentorship program at the late Isaiah Kiplagat residence.
The race is in honour of Athletics Kenya's former president, the late Isaiah Kiplagat.
