When is the next Kaptagat Forest Marathon?

Details for the next edition, including registration dates, distances, and pricing, will be announced closer to the time. Check back for updates.

Was entry free for the 2026 edition?

Yes. Entry to the 2026 edition was completely free across all distances, a change from earlier pricing of KES 50 to KES 300. All slots were claimed and the event sold out.

Who won the 2026 Kaptagat Forest Marathon?

Stephen Kimutai won the men's 42km in 2:17:14 and Vivian Jerono won the women's 42km in 2:39:27. Full results across all categories are available above.

Was the 2026 edition a significant one for the programme?

Yes. The 2026 race coincided with the Kaptagat Integrated Conservation Programme's 10th anniversary celebrations at Kaptarkok Primary School, under the theme '10 to 20: Restore, Sustain, Transform,' with President William Ruto attending as Chief Guest.

How do I get to Kaptagat from Eldoret?

Kaptagat is about 29km southeast of Eldoret via the B54 road, roughly a 41-minute drive. Most participants travelling from further afield will drive or fly into Eldoret and continue from there.

MarathonAnnual Event

Kaptagat Forest Marathon

Q: Where and when did the different distances start in 2026?

The 42km Elite Men/Women started at Chemarkach at 7:30 AM. The 21km Men/Women started at Brooklyn at 8:00 AM. The 10km Men/Women started within Kaptagat Forest, between Kaptagat Girls High School and Kaptarakwa, at 8:15 AM. The 5km U18 Boys/Girls started at Kaptarakwa Mokwo Junction at 8:25 AM. All distances finished at Kaptarkok Primary School.

Saturday, 10 July 2027 · 7:30 AM (42km) | 8:00 AM (21km) | 8:15 AM (10km) | 8:25 AM (5km)

📅The 2026 edition concluded successfully on 11th July 2026. This page now shows the 2027 edition. Dates TBC

A scenic marathon through the Kaptagat Forest in the Elgeyo Hills-Cherangany Ecosystem, held as part of the 10th anniversary celebrations of the Kaptagat Integrated Conservation Programme, with President William Ruto attending as Chief Guest. New for 2026: the first-ever 42km full marathon distance.

Kaptagat Forest, Uasin Gishu / Elgeyo-Marakwet

7:30 AM (42km)→8:00 AM (21km)→8:15 AM (10km)→8:25 AM (5km)

5km, 10km, 21km, 42km

Free (all distances, 2026 rates final week)

Kaptagat Integrated Conservation Programme

info@kaptagat-icp.org→+254 721 771 542→+254 710 101 026

kaptagat-icp.org

Registration opens closer to race day

The poster is a 2026 version. 2027 Version will be updated once it is made available

Coming up

51 weeks to go

Saturday morning

Base-building phase.

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Consistent easy effort is the goal. Build aerobic fitness and establish the habit. Race-specific work comes later.

Event Highlights

Held annually as part of the Kaptagat Integrated Conservation Programme's celebrations

The 2026 edition marked the Programme's 10th anniversary under the theme '10 to 20', with President William Ruto attending as Chief Guest

2026 introduced the event's first-ever 42km full marathon distance, alongside 21km, 10km, and 5km races

All distances finish at Kaptarkok Primary School grounds

Set in the 32,941 hectare Kaptagat Forest, part of the Elgeyo Hills-Cherangany Ecosystem, a major water tower and carbon sink

Home to a world-renowned high-altitude training camp used by some of the greatest distance runners in history

Race Distances

5km

10km

21km

42km

Race Fees

Category	Fee	Status
5km Entry 5km race entry. Free. Sold out.	KES 0	Sold Out
10km Entry 10km race entry. Free. Sold out.	KES 0	Sold Out
21km Entry Half marathon entry. Free. Sold out.	KES 0	Sold Out
42km Entry Full marathon entry, first time offered at this event. Free. Sold out.	KES 0	Sold Out

Prize Money

Total prize pool: KES 7,377,000

2026 prize pool: 42km Elite Men/Women shared KES 3,718,000; 21km Men/Women shared KES 2,472,000; 10km Men/Women shared KES 922,000; 5km U18 Boys/Girls shared KES 265,000. Prize structure for the next edition to be confirmed.

Course Details

The course runs through Kaptagat Forest with staggered start points depending on distance. In 2026, the 42km elite race started at Chemarkach, the 21km started at Brooklyn, the 10km started within Kaptagat Forest between Kaptagat Girls High School and Kaptarakwa, and the 5km (U18) started at Kaptarakwa Mokwo Junction. All distances finished at Kaptarkok Primary School grounds. Expect forested terrain at high altitude with cool conditions typical of the Kaptagat area. Start points and exact timings for the next edition will be confirmed closer to race day.

Getting There

Kaptagat is approximately 28-29km southeast of Eldoret town, reachable via the B54 road. The fastest route from Eldoret takes around 41 minutes. From Nairobi, drive or fly to Eldoret (around 4-5 hours by road or under 1 hour by air) and continue to Kaptagat. Bib collection points in 2026 were Iten Governor's Office (42km, 21km, 10km) and Kapkenda Girls High School (5km) the day before the race; expect a similar arrangement for future editions.

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Did You Know?

🌍The 2026 edition coincided with the Kaptagat Integrated Conservation Programme's 10th anniversary celebrations, held at Kaptarkok Primary School, Keiyo South, under the theme '10 to 20: Restore, Sustain, Transform.'

🌍President William Samoei Ruto's office had been billed as chief guest on the original 2026 event poster, but Deputy President Kithure Kindiki attended and officiated in his place, flagging off the distribution of livelihood support to community beneficiaries. Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen was also among the senior officials present.

🌍The Kaptagat landscape covers 32,941 hectares and forms part of the Elgeyo Hills-Cherangany Ecosystem, one of Kenya's five water towers.

🌍Eight different communities depend on the Kaptagat forest for water, wood-based goods, and agriculture.

🌍Kaptagat is home to a world-renowned high-altitude training camp used by some of the greatest distance runners in history.

🌍The forest is an important carbon sink and biodiversity habitat in the Rift Valley region.

Results

2026 Edition

Stephen Kimutai won the men's 42km in 2:17:14, with Julius Bwambok 18 seconds back in 2:18:14 and Kibiwot Mark completing the podium in 2:19:04. Vivian Jerono topped the women's 42km field in 2:39:27. James Kipkoech won the men's 21km in 1:06:54, with Joan Kilimo the fastest woman in 1:17:32. Elius Chebor Kiptoo took the men's 10km in 30:51, with Carol Nyaruai leading the women in 34:42. In the Under-18 5km race, Abraham Phokisio (15:08) and Valencia Chebet (17:28.0) took the boys' and girls' titles respectively.

42km Results	Winner	Time
Men's 42km	Stephen Kimutai (KEN)	2:17:14
Men's 42km 2nd	Julius Bwambok (KEN)	2:18:14
Men's 42km 3rd	Kibiwot Mark (KEN)	2:19:04
Men's 42km 4th	Dan Kosgei (KEN)	2:22:59
Men's 42km 5th	Keneeth Omulo (KEN)	2:23:35
Women's 42km	Vivian Jerono (KEN)	2:39:27
Women's 42km 2nd	Justine Petakou (KEN)	2:39:38
Women's 42km 3rd	Peris Jerono (KEN)	2:39:46
Women's 42km 4th	Lucy Chelele (KEN)	2:41:05
Women's 42km 5th	Nakayonzo Alosius (KEN)	2:41:33

21km Results	Winner	Time
Men's 21km	James Kipkoech (KEN)	1:06:54
Men's 21km 2nd	Emmanuel Sikuku (KEN)	1:06:57
Men's 21km 3rd	Lenard Kipsaisak (KEN)	1:07:40
Men's 21km 4th	Kiprono Byegon (KEN)	1:07:58
Men's 21km 5th	Justus Limo (KEN)	1:08:02
Women's 21km (136th overall)	Joan Kilimo (KEN)	1:17:32
Women's 21km 2nd (151st overall)	Janet Ruguru (KEN)	1:18:21
Women's 21km 3rd (174th overall)	Monica Jeptarus (KEN)	1:20:08
Women's 21km 4th (181st overall)	Jackline Chepkoech (KEN)	1:20:29
Women's 21km 5th (185th overall)	Emmah Ndiwa (KEN)	1:20:40

10km Results	Winner	Time
Men's 10km	Elius Chebor Kiptoo (KEN)	30:51
Men's 10km 2nd	Kipmwetch Brian (KEN)	30:55
Men's 10km 3rd	George Kiptum (KEN)	31:01
Men's 10km 4th	Kiptoo Andrew (KEN)	31:13
Men's 10km 5th	Junior Kipkorir (KEN)	31:14
Women's 10km (94th overall)	Carol Nyaruai (KEN)	34:42
Women's 10km 2nd (100th overall)	Debra Bosibori (KEN)	34:57
Women's 10km 3rd (105th overall)	Sandra Dalamiah (KEN)	35:04
Women's 10km 4th (114th overall)	Loice Chepkwemoi (KEN)	35:15
Women's 10km 5th (122nd overall)	Maurine Chepkorir (KEN)	35:37

U18 5km Results	Winner	Time
U18 Boys 5km	Abraham Phokisio	15:08
U18 Boys 5km 2nd	Gideon Kiplagat	15:09
U18 Boys 5km 3rd	Meshack Kipkemoi	15:12
U18 Girls 5km	Valencia Chebet	17:28.0
U18 Girls 5km 2nd	Flora Jerono	17:28.3
U18 Girls 5km 3rd	Caren Jebet	17:29