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By Isabella Maua
The Chepkitale Indigenous People Development Project, in collaboration with Transformative Pathways and Athletics Kenya, has launched the Mt. Elgon Road Race to mark International Mountain Day at Kapsokwony.
Speaking before the onset of the event, Peter Kitelo, director at CIPDP, expressed his excitement for being part of the magnanimous activity.
“We’re very proud to be part of the indigenous people celebrating the restoration of mountain ecosystems by creating awareness among the masses through running,” noted Kitelo.
According to Cherotwei Simotwo, a co-director at CIPDP, there’s a call for nature-based solutions, best practices, and investments that build resilience, reduce vulnerability, and increase the ability of mountains to adapt to daily threats and extreme climatic events.
“This road race aims at raising awareness about Mt. Elgon and its hidden jewels. Being one of the largest caderas in the world, it is unique and fragile and hence needs to be conserved,” reiterated Simotwo.
Jane Chebet, one of the participants who ran the 5km race, said she’s grateful to have showcased her talent in this historic event and called upon the youth to come out in large numbers next time such an event is announced.
Shem Ominde, Chairperson, Athletic Kenya Western, emphasized that athletes are non-partisan and all-inclusive.
“We shall continue supporting CIPDP and its partners, together with any other interested parties, to continue with such splendid activities in the course of supporting the government’s goal of reaching 15 billion trees by 2030,” noted Ominde.
Davis Kiboi, Mt. Elgon Sub County Athletics Kenya Secretary, divulged that the road race will be an annual event aimed at nurturing talent and conserving the environment.
“Mt. Elgon is the home of talents when it comes to athletics, and as history has it, we’ve had Ben Jipcho and Shem Kororia raising our flag high globally,” noted Kiboi.
The road race ended with winners in different categories (10 km, 5 km, and 2 km) being awarded cash prizes starting at Ksh. 20,000 and T-shirts.