Early season bragging rights on the line as AK Cross Country caravan heads to Kimilili on Saturday

Athletes compete at the National Cross Country Championships/ TEDDY MULEIAfter an action-packed opening leg of the Athletics Kenya (AK) Cross Country circuit in Machakos, attention now shifts to the second stop as the series heads to Kimilili in Bungoma County this weekend.

The Kimilili showdown is scheduled for Saturday at Amutala Stadium, where athletes will once again battle for honours as they seek to build momentum in the new cross country season.

Just like the season opener in Machakos, the Kimilili leg will feature four categories. The programme will feature the Under-18 4km girls’ and 6km boys’ races, the Under-20 6km women’s and 8km men’s contests, the senior men’s and women’s 10km races and the 2km races for both men and women.

Ahead of the second leg, AK has called on athletes to turn out in large numbers and register through its website, while wishing all competitors the very best as they prepare to take to the starting line.

“We wish all participants the very best as they prepare for the second cross country meet of the season,” the federation said in a statement.

Beyond providing a competitive platform for athletes to test their endurance and gauge their early-season form, the championships will also offer an attractive prize purse for the leading finishers.

Winners in the senior races will pocket Sh50,000, while the runners-up and third-place finishers will take home Sh40,000 and Sh25,000, respectively, with prize money extending down to 10th place.

In the Under-20 category, the top three finishers will earn Sh30,000, Sh20,000 and Sh15,000, respectively, while the Under-18 races and the 2km loop will offer Sh10,000 to the winners, Sh8,000 to the runners-up and Sh6,000 to those finishing third.

The circuit got off to an exciting start at the Machakos Teachers Training College, where Fredrick Chebii and Emmaculate Jepkosgei stamped their authority in the senior races, laying down an early marker for their rivals as the series gathered pace

In the senior men’s 10km race, Chebii dictated the pace from the gun, maintaining a commanding pace before crossing the finish line in 29:55.8 to clinch victory. Kenneth Kiprono Lagat followed in second place in 30:33.7, while Peter Makau Mutie completed the podium in 30:35.3

Chebii described the AK Cross Country circuit as an ideal platform to sharpen his endurance and build a solid foundation ahead of a busy 2027 season. “I believe cross country will help me in building my endurance before I shift focus to the road races and track,” Chebii said.

In the senior women’s 10km contest, Jepkosgei produced an authoritative display, pulling clear of the lead pack to win in 33:46.7.

Betty Chelangat secured second place in 34:32.6, while Miriam Chemutai Kibet completed the podium in 34:44.1. For Jepkosgei, the Machakos triumph was particularly sweet, having arrived at the season opener determined to make amends following a disappointing outing at the Betika Cross Country in Kericho.

“I came here to redeem myself after finishing second at the Betika Cross Country in Kericho, and I am happy I managed to achieve that,” Jepkosgei said.

Jepkosgei was delighted to have won despite the challenging weather conditions. She admitted that the scorching sun had made the contest a demanding test of endurance. “The race was very tough because of the sun, but I had to push myself and take the win because that’s what I came here for. I am very happy,” she added

The junior categories in Machakos also produced impressive performances, with Faith Cherotich powering to the Under-18 girls’ 4km title in 13:42.20, while Jairus Byegon claimed the boys’ crown in 18:29.0.

In the Under-20 races, rising prospect Cynthia Chepkurui clinched the women’s 6km title in 20:20.4, while Edwin Elkana triumphed in the men’s 8km contest, clocking 24:01.7.

In the men’s category, Sawe will go up against World Ultimate 100m and 200m champion Kenneth Bednarek of the USA, Diamond League discus champion Kristjan Ceh of Slovenia, Italian triple-jump ace Andy Diaz Hernandez and world 400m hurdles record holder Alison Dos Santos of Brazil.

Although the 33-year-old has established herself as one of Kenya's most consistent long-distance runners over the years, she is yet to don the national team col