Kiprop Eyes Back-to-Back Betika Uasin Gishu Half Marathon Title as 1,000 Athletes Set for Eldoret Race
More than 1,000 athletes are expected to participate in the fourth edition of the Betika Uasin Gishu Half Marathon in Eldoret on Sunday, underscoring the growing commercial and sporting significance of road races in Kenya’s athletics hub.
Defending champion Robert Kiprop will lead the elite men’s field as he seeks to retain the title he won last year after clocking 1:00:56, finishing ahead of Peter Tuitoek (1:00:58) and Titus Kiprotich (1:01:05).
Kiprop, the reigning BingwaFest National Finals 10,000m champion and 2019 African Games 5,000m gold medallist, enters the race in strong form after recording a personal best of 59:51 at the Berlin Half Marathon in March.
The women’s race is set to produce a new champion following the absence of defending winner Gladys Chepkurui. Last year’s runner-up Vivian Cherotich and third-placed Christine Ndambi are among the leading contenders expected to vie for top honours.
Betika Head of Brand Eric Mwiti said the race has continued to grow in stature, attracting stronger competition and reinforcing Eldoret’s position as the country’s distance-running capital.
“We are delighted to return to Eldoret for the fourth edition of the Betika Uasin Gishu Half Marathon. There is no better place to stage a race of this calibre than Kenya’s home of champions, where running is deeply rooted in the region’s identity and heritage. Each year, the event continues to grow, attracting stronger fields and increased participation, underscoring its significance on the local athletics calendar. We look forward to another highly competitive day and wish all athletes the very best as they compete for top honours,” Mwiti said.
The event will feature men’s and women’s 21-kilometre races, as well as a Masters category for athletes aged 55 years and above.
Organisers have maintained a prize purse designed to attract top local talent. Winners of the men’s and women’s races will each receive KES 300,000, while second- and third-place finishers will earn KES 200,000 and KES 100,000 respectively. Athletes placing fourth to tenth will also receive cash awards.
Race bib collection is scheduled for Saturday at Central Primary School grounds ahead of Sunday’s competition.
The annual event has become a key fixture on Kenya’s athletics calendar, providing elite and emerging runners with a competitive platform while boosting sports tourism and economic activity in Eldoret through increased spending on accommodation, transport, and hospitality services.
