By Robert Kibet.
Junior athletes will take center stage this Saturday, July 12, as the Kaptagat Forest Half Marathon unfolds at Simotwo High School, offering young talents in the Under-18 (5 km) and Under-15 (2 km) categories a rare chance to compete at one of Kenya’s most iconic high-altitude training zones.
Located in the heart of Kaptagat, the training base of global stars like Eliud Kipchoge — the event provides junior runners with a golden opportunity to test their limits where world-beaters are made.
Both junior races will start and finish at Simotwo High School, with race pack and bib collection set for Friday, July 11, at Kaptagat Hotel.
The inclusion of junior categories is a key highlight of this year’s event and part of Athletics Kenya’s (AK) long-term strategy to nurture young talent.
Barnaba Korir, AK’s Director of Youth and Development, has been instrumental in rolling out this initiative, having helped establish more than 55 junior holiday training camps across the country to scout, train, and mentor emerging athletes.
“This is how we build the next generation of champions, by giving them platforms to grow, compete, and dream,” Korir said. “Races like Kaptagat provide experience, exposure, and motivation at a critical stage in their development.”
The organizers have set aside Ksh 132,500 in prize money for the Under-18 5 km category and Ksh 88,000 for the Under-15 2 km event.
The top three finishers in the U18 race will earn Ksh 12,000, Ksh 10,000, and Ksh 9,000 respectively, while the U15 champions will walk away with Ksh 7,000, Ksh 6,000, and Ksh 5,000.
For many of these junior runners, this will be their first experience racing in a professionally organized event at altitude — a key factor in developing world-class endurance.
With the support of AK and local organizers, Kaptagat is not only preserving its reputation as a cradle of champions but also sowing the seeds for Kenya’s athletic future.
