Bett, Chepkurui Storm to Victory as Betika Kericho Cross Country Shatters Records with 1,000+ Runners

Edwin Kiplangat Bett and Cynthia Chepkurui claimed the men's and women's 10km titles at the fifth Betika Kericho Cross Country on Saturday, October 10, 2026, at Kericho Teachers' Training College, as the event registered its largest turnout to date with over 1,000 athletes competing. Bett won the men's race in 29:21.9, narrowly defeating Wesley Kipkemoi (29:23.2) and Festus Kiprop (29:25.5) in a podium separated by fewer than four seconds. Chepkurui took the women's crown in 33:01.6, ahead of Emmaculate Jepkosgei (33:06.2) and Brenda Jepchumba Kenei (33:06.7), with just half a second between second and third.

The winners each received KSh150,000, with Kipkemoi and Jepkosgei earning KSh100,000 and Kiprop and Kenei collecting KSh75,000. The event also featured Masters 50+ races and a mixed relay, won by Central Rift. Betika Head of Brand Eric Mwiti praised the record turnout as evidence of growing interest in athletics and reaffirmed the company's commitment to grassroots and competitive development. He also noted Betika's second-year partnership with Athletics Kenya and congratulated Kenya on securing the 2029 World Athletics Championships in Nairobi.

Chepkurui, who finished fourth in the under-20 race at the 2026 World Athletics Cross Country Championships in Florida, said the victory boosted her confidence ahead of the Athletics Kenya Cross Country Series. Bett expressed delight at winning against strong opposition. The event underscored its role as a launchpad for emerging talent as Kenya builds toward the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics and the 2029 global championships on home soil. However, organisers must address a discrepancy in the relay results, where third-place was listed as Kiptere 3 in the results but Kiptere 2 in the prize section.