Kericho is preparing for a major day of athletics as runners from the region and beyond get ready for the Kericho Cross Country, scheduled for Saturday, October 10, 2026, at Kericho Teachers Training College (TTC).
The event, being held under the Betika na Community initiative, is expected to bring together athletes, fitness enthusiasts and supporters for a day centred on competitive running and community participation.
The organisers are encouraging participants to start preparing early, with runners being urged to lace up, stretch and build their mileage ahead of race day. The event is scheduled to begin at 8am, giving participants an early start for what promises to be a busy morning on the Kericho athletics calendar.
Sh1.1 million prize pool ¶
One of the biggest attractions of the event is the prize money. The organisers have announced a total prize pool of more than Sh1.1 million, with some winners expected to take home as much as Sh150,000.
The financial rewards add another layer of competition to an event that is also expected to provide a platform for runners to test themselves in a cross country setting.
For emerging athletes in Kericho and the surrounding areas, the race could offer an opportunity to compete alongside other runners while gaining experience in a competitive environment.
Registration is free ¶
Participants do not have to pay to enter the race.
Registration is free, with interested runners encouraged to sign up before race day. The organisers have also called on members of the public to turn up and support the athletes.
The event is being promoted as more than just a race, with the organisers looking to create a lively atmosphere around the competition. Spectators and supporters have been encouraged to come prepared to cheer the runners throughout the event.
Kericho's athletics culture takes centre stage ¶
Kericho has a strong connection with Kenya's running culture, particularly because of the wider Rift Valley's long history of producing elite and emerging athletes.
Cross country races have traditionally served as an important part of the Kenyan athletics calendar, giving runners a chance to build endurance and compete before moving into track and road racing events.
The Kericho Cross Country adds another competition to that tradition, bringing the action closer to the local community and creating a platform where runners can compete for both recognition and prize money.
With the starting time set for 8am on October 10, athletes will have to arrive prepared for the demands of cross country running, while supporters will have the chance to turn the venue into a lively sporting occasion.
The organisers are now calling on runners to register, prepare and make their way to Kericho TTC for race day.
For those not competing, the message is equally simple: show up, cheer loudly and support the runners.
Kericho Cross Country — October 10, 2026, 8am, Kericho TTC. Registration is free, with more than Sh1.1 million available in prizes.