Barnabas Korir impressed with Great Chepsaita Cross Country's growing reputation
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Reading Time: 3min | Mon. 08.12.25. | 14:34
The standout feature this year was the unprecedented number of participants, especially in the younger age categories
Athletics Kenya Youth Development chairperson Barnabas Korir has praised the massive turnout of young athletes at the third edition of the Great Chepsaita Cross Country on Saturday, declaring that Kenya’s athletics future is brighter than ever.
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The event featured a dynamic lineup of races for various age groups: Kids’ 500m for ages 5–7, 1km for 8–10-year-olds, 2km for 11–13-year-olds, and the high-intensity 4km Teens races for ages 14–15.
Korir lauded the continued growth of the Chepsaita meet, which has established itself as a vital platform for emerging talent.
“The progress has been incredible since we began three years ago. It's growing international recognition makes us proud of our work,” he said.
The standout feature this year was the unprecedented number of participants, especially in the young age categories.
“This year recorded our largest turnout ever. It is particularly encouraging to see such strong engagement from the 5–7, 8–10, and teenage groups,” Korir noted.
Serving as both AK youth development director and race director, Korir expressed satisfaction at seeing the next generation embrace athletics with enthusiasm.
“As youth development director, I am confident we are moving in the right direction. Our goal is to nurture these children so that athletics becomes a part of their lives,” he said.
The surge in participation, he added, is largely driven by Athletics Kenya’s structured development programmes, including school partnerships inspired by World Athletics’ Kids’ Athletics initiative.
“Through these programmes, we have built interest across primary and secondary schools, creating pathways for children to engage with the sport,” he explained.
Small incentives such as books, school supplies, and scholarships for underprivileged children have also been instrumental in motivating participation. “These rewards encourage children to compete and enjoy the experience,” Korir added.
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Beyond athletics, the Great Chepsaita Cross Country has contributed to education and social development, awarding Ksh20 million in scholarships to needy children within the community.
Race patron Farouk Kibet praised the initiative for nurturing talent and supporting young athletes. “It was a successful day. The children came out and showcased their potential, and that is incredibly rewarding,” he said.
The youth-focused momentum is reflected internationally. In May, Kenya emerged as the top Member Federation in World Athletics’ Kids’ Athletics Day challenge, mobilising over 140,000 children nationwide, nearly a quarter of all global participants.
The initiative promoted health, environmental awareness through tree planting, and creativity using sustainable items such as cardboard batons.
Korir emphasised that these successes highlight Athletics Kenya’s commitment to grassroots development.
“We even hosted the World Relay for Kids this year, and Kenya came out on top, proving that our foundation for the sport is strong,” he said.
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