Mathew Kipkoech will return to the Kericho Teachers Training College course on Saturday seeking to improve on last year’s third-place finish as the fifth edition of the Betika Cross Country gets underway.
Kipkoech, who finished third in last year’s Senior Men’s 10km race in 29:47.88, returns to Kericho in improved form and with greater experience as he targets the title and a share of the more than KSh1.1 million prize purse. Press Release – Mathew Kipkoech.
The 21-year-old strengthened his credentials with another third-place finish in the men’s 10,000m at the 2026 Betika BingwaFest National Finals in Meru, where he clocked 29:09.8.
“I know what Kericho feels like and I know what it takes to compete on this course. Last year I finished third, so this time I want to come back stronger and fight for the win,” Kipkoech said.
The Senior Women’s 10km race is also expected to attract strong competition, with last year’s runner-up Abigael Chepkoech and third-place finisher Diana Chepkemoi returning to the field.
Chepkoech clocked 33:54.73 last year, while Chepkemoi finished in 34:13.85. They will face a strong challenge from Maurine Jepkoech Chebor and Brenda Jepchumba Kenei.
Chebor enters the race after successfully defending her Betika BingwaFest National Finals 10,000m title in Meru. She won the race in 32:17.2 at Kinoru Stadium, retaining the title she claimed in the inaugural edition. Press Release – Mathew Kipkoech…
Betika Head of Brand Eric Mwiti said the Kericho race had once again attracted athletes with experience at the highest level alongside emerging runners looking to establish themselves.
The event will feature Senior Men’s and Women’s 10km races, a Mixed Relay and a Masters 50+ competition.
Winners of the Senior Men’s and Women’s 10km races will each pocket KSh150,000, with runners-up receiving KSh100,000 and third-place finishers KSh75,000. Fourth and fifth will earn KSh50,000 and KSh40,000 respectively, while athletes finishing sixth to 10th will receive KSh20,000 each. Press Release – Mathew Kipkoech…
The Mixed Relay winner will take home KSh50,000, while the second- and third-placed teams will receive KSh30,000 and KSh20,000 respectively.
Athletes are expected to collect their race bibs on Friday, October 9, with the races scheduled to start at 8am on Saturday, October 10. Press Release – Mathew Kipkoech…
