Vincent Kibet Langat and Sheila Chelangat emerged victorious at the 10km Betika Cross Country Championship, held over the weekend in Kericho County. The event attracted more than 800 participants, including both amateur and professional athletes, making it a thrilling showcase of endurance and athleticism.
Langat, 36, soared across the finish line in the men’s race, clocking an impressive time of 30:04. In the women’s category, 27-year-old Chelangat claimed victory with a time of 33:18. Both athletes were awarded Sh150,000 for their stellar performances.
Reflecting on his hard-fought win, Langat expressed his delight. “This was one of the toughest courses I have ever tackled, but the energy from the crowd and the beauty of the Kericho landscape kept me going. I’m truly honored to have won this race,” he said.
Chelangat echoed Langat’s sentiments, commending the challenging terrain of the course. “It was a great experience running here in Kericho. The terrain was tough, but it pushed me to give my best. I’m grateful to the organizers for such a fantastic race and their support to the athletes,” Chelangat shared after her triumph.
In addition to the winners, the second and third place finishers in both categories were rewarded with cash prizes of Sh100,000 and Sh75,000, respectively, highlighting the event’s commitment to celebrating athletic excellence.
An exciting twist in the championship was the recognition of senior athletes, with Betika extending support to contestants aged 50 years and above. In the 4km race for seniors, Francis Bowen clocked 12:55 to win the men’s category, while Joyce Kirui triumphed in the women’s race with a time of 8:00. Both senior champions were awarded Sh30,000 each for their achievements.
Kirui, who continues to defy age, reflected on her victory with pride. “It feels amazing to still be out here, running alongside young athletes. Age is nothing but a number; it’s the fire in your spirit and the dedication in your training that truly matters. I am deeply grateful to the event organizers for honoring senior athletes like me,” Kirui said.
Betika’s Brand Manager, Eric Mwiti, praised the success of the event and reaffirmed the brand’s commitment to supporting sports development across all levels. “We are thrilled with the overwhelming success of this cross-country event. This achievement is just the beginning of even greater things to come for our brand,” he said.
Mwiti also acknowledged the remarkable performances of senior athletes, saying, “It’s inspiring to see senior athletes like Francis and Joyce perform so well. They are a testament to the power of perseverance and lifelong fitness. As a sports community, we must do more to recognize and support senior athletes, providing platforms for them to thrive.”
The Anti-Doping Agency of Kenya was also present at the event, underscoring the importance of maintaining integrity and fairness in sports. Mwiti added, “Our collaboration with ADAK is a clear statement of our dedication to safeguarding the spirit of competition and ensuring a transparent and clean sporting environment.”
The Betika Cross Country Championship in Kericho proved to be a celebration of athletic prowess, unity, and the enduring spirit of competition across all ages.
