Over 500 runners are expected at Sunday’s Kericho cross country meeting where a total of Sh1.35m cash prize awaits the top performers.

Winners in the men’s and women’s will each pocket Sh250,000 while second-placed finishers will walk away with Sh150,000. 

Third-place finishers will bank Sh100,000 each while fourth and fifth place finishers will take home Sh75,000 and Sh50,000 respectively. The sixth to 10th-place finishers in both categories will each receive Sh10,000.

Among the competitors are 12 runners from Complete Sports, managed by veteran coach Japheth Kimutai.

Kimutai said the six men and six women have had enough preparations for the event.

“They are upcoming but very good athletes,” said Kimutai. “We are looking forward to good results as we start the cross country season. They have got what it takes to shine if the training and preparations they have had is anything to go by.”

The race is sponsored by gaming firm Betika.

“We are thrilled to have the 12km cross country run in Kericho this Sunday, bringing together over 500 participants to battle it out for top honours," said Betika’s Mutua Mutava.

“This marks the fifth athletics event under the Betika umbrella and confirms our commitment to working with communities to nurture and support talent right at the grassroots level."

He added: "We believe that through these engagements, we will be supporting the next pool of athletics stars. We look forward to doing more of such events to encourage more talent to professionally take up the sport.”