Cash and Cows for Champions: Barngetuny Mountain Run Winners Awarded
By Nelson Tarbei
Winners of the 4th edition of the Barngetuny Mountain Run finally received their prizes in a colourful ceremony held at the Eliud Kipchoge Complex in Kapsabet, Nandi County.
Top athletes Janeth Chepng’etich and Alfred Cheruiyot each walked away with Sh500,000 in cash and a heifer worth Sh250,000 as part of their victory package.
Elijah Mwangi, the Principal Secretary for Sports, presided over the event which was also graced by Nandi Deputy Governor Dr. Yulita Mitei, Chesumei MP Paul Biego, and Tindiret MP Julius Melly who is the patron of the annual mountain run held in Tindiret.
Kass Media Group was among the key sponsors behind the community-focused event, aimed at nurturing emerging athletic talent.
During the ceremony, PS Mwangi commended all participants for clean competition, confirming that all doping tests came back negative. He emphasised the government’s firm stance on doping, issuing a stern warning to training camps and agents facilitating substance abuse.
“Our agency, ADAK, has painfully had to terminate the careers of some promising athletes because of doping,” said Mwangi.
“Just two weeks ago, we arrested an Indian national in this very county for distributing banned substances to our youth. Let this be a warning—coaches, camps, and agents will be held accountable.”
MP Julius Melly echoed the call for clean sports. “This race is about building future champions the right way. There is no shortcut to greatness,” he said.
“I want to commend our athletes who took part in the Tindiret Barngetuny Mountain Run—for choosing to run healthy, for staying clean, and for keeping their bodies free from drugs. Today, we’ve celebrated that discipline by awarding each winner half a million shillings and a heifer,” added Melly.
The event also marked the official launch of the 5th edition of the Barngetuny Mountain Run, set for January 17, 2026.
