The Joshua Cheptegei Christmas Run

The hilly Sebei Sub-region has increasingly established its presence among global athletics powerhouses, especially in long-distance races.

Previously, the Sabiny kinsmen across the border in Kenya – the Kalenjin – had for decades dominated the track and marathon races. But their kinsmen in the Sebei sub-region have since matched up and have proven to be no easy pushovers.

Nonetheless, Kenya has undertaken a more deliberate effort to promote talent through its many annual races and competitions, which are propped up with better high-altitude training facilities in the Rift Valley, the country’s athletics incubation house.

Little wonder that many of Uganda’s star athletes and others from across the globe have gained from frequent visits and training stints at Iten in Eldoret, Kenya.

But with many Ugandan athletes withdrawing and now training on home turf, there is a burning desire for many to triumph. For these athletes, the Joshua Cheptegei Development Foundation has come in handy.

The foundation has now held three editions of the Christmas Run since 2018, attracting hundreds of young people of 10 to 16 years, who constitute a rich pool for our country’s next athletics stars.

Hosted in Kwoti Sub-county, Kapchorwa District, the annual event aims at spotting these young talents and nurturing them to become world-class athletes.

But the benefits for the youngsters are not limited to only sports development but extend to education and tourism, among others.

At the end of the 5-kilometre showpiece run, the top 100 athletes are given scholastic materials, bedding, and other essential items. The top three performers are gifted bursaries at the Mountain Boarding Primary School in Kapchorwa, which Joshua Cheptegei acquired and upgraded two years ago.

The Foundation and its Christmas Run, therefore, serve as great drivers of talent and education for the talented youngsters.

So far, more than 50 pupils, including those identified during our community drives, have benefitted from the Joshua Cheptegei bursary scheme since we secured and elevated the school two years ago. This, we believe, will help us touch and change the lives of the youngsters across our less privileged rural communities.[/vc_column_text][wgl_spacing spacer_size=”36px”][wgl_spacing spacer_size=”25px”][wgl_spacing spacer_size=”24px”][/vc_column][/vc_row]