Top cyclists are set to face-off on Sunday at the inaugural Eldoret Cycle 100 with the aim of conserving Kaptagat Forest based in both Uasin Gishu and Elgeyo Marakwet Counties.
Event organizers led by Martin Keino have estimated that about 500 bikers are expected to compete for the kshs 200,000.
Keino said that they are ready for the championships, which they want to make it an annual event due to the growth cyclists in the region and the country at large.
The competition will traverse in the two counties with Keino expecting the biggest cycling events in Eldoret and the entire region.
“This will be the biggest cycling competition in the region and is set to attract a variety of competitors with majority coming from this area and a few international cyclists who are training in Kaptagat and Iten. We hope that this event will be the first of many cycling events and we look forward to a very competitive session,” said Keino.
The bikers will start their 100km journey at Ilula in Uasin Gishu County, through Eldoret, Talget, Kichawa, Kaptarakwa in Elgeyo Marakwet County, Nyaru and back in Kaptagat and back to Ilula for the finish.
“We are fortunate to have a few sponsors for the competition with the theme of ‘Conservation Of Kaptagat Forest’, which is the mitigation for climate change that are the issues we are facing. So the beauty about this event is that the 100km cyclist will cycle the entire ecosystem of Kaptagat Forest. They will ride the entire distance around the forest and will be able to see what they are supporting,” said Keino.
Apart from the 100km, there will be 50km and 25km fun ride for those who are unable to go for the long distance and it will be an enjoyable ride for all.
“To that effect, we have a prize money of Kshs 200,000 that will be spread across the four categories and we feel that this is the first of many cycling circuits that we shall be organizing in Uasin Gishu county, the city of champions. This is where all the champions come from. We are hoping to get other champions in cycling sport.
For one to compete, registration is ongoing online with a till number managed with kshs 1000 as damages.
“At the moment, we are approaching 253 riders and our target is about 500 riders with a minimum fee of kshs 100. For those who lack bikes we have our local bike companies that can hire,” he said.