Published on October 7, 2024 by Agencies for Kenya Online News
Last Updated on 2 years by Agencies for Kenya Online News
The lush green tea fields of Kericho County came alive with excitement as Betika successfully held its cross-country race on Sunday, October 6th, 2024.
36-year-old Vincent Kibet Langat soared across the finish line, claiming victory in the 10-kilometer race with a phenomenal time of 30 minutes and four seconds that left the crowd roaring with delight.
Meanwhile, in the women’s category, 27-year-old Sheila Chelangat showcased her relentless strength, finishing triumphantly in 33 minutes and 18 seconds. Both winners were rewarded with KES 150,000 for their stellar performances.
Speaking after his win, Langat expressed his joy, “This was one of the toughest courses I’ve run, 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.” Chelangat, equally thrilled, added “It was a great experience running here in Kericho. The terrain was challenging but it pushed me to give my best. I’m grateful to the organizers for such a fantastic race and supporting athletes like us.”
Aside from the winners, second and third place finishers also received cash prizes of KES 100,000 and KES 75,000 respectively. In an exciting twist, Betika extended its support to senior athletes aged 50 and above. In the master’s category, Francis Bowen completed a four-kilometer race in 12 minutes 55 seconds, while in the women’s category, Joyce Kirui crossed the finish line in eight minutes. Both senior runners received KES 30,000 for their remarkable efforts.
Reflecting on her achievement, Joice shared her thoughts on competing at her age, “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, for recognizing the passion we carry, and for granting us the opportunity to showcase our abilities.”
Eric Mwiti, the Brand Manager, commented on the brand’s commitment to supporting sports development at all levels. ” We are thrilled with the overwhelming success of this cross country event. We extend our heartfelt thanks to everyone who participated- this achievement is just the beginning of even greater things to come for our brand. It’s inspiring to see senior athletes like Francis and Joice 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. Having the Anti-Doping Agency of Kenya present was a crucial step in our ongoing efforts to ensure integrity and fairness in sports.
This collaboration is a clear statement of our dedication to safeguarding the spirit of competition and supporting the development of a transparent and clean sporting environment.”
The cross country attracted over 800 amateur and professional athletes from across the country, kicking off in the county’s iconic tea farms in a thrilling 10-kilometer event and 4-kilometer race for senior athletes.
