By Robert Mutasi 
Registration is underway for the 2026 Kaptagat Forest Marathon, with organizers unveiling official race routes, event schedules and prize money as preparations gather pace for one of Kenya’s leading athletics and environmental conservation events.
The marathon, which will be staged in the scenic Kaptagat Forest in Elgeyo Marakwet County, is expected to attract elite athletes, recreational runners and environmental advocates from Kenya and abroad.
Organizers released the official course maps and race program through their social media platforms, giving participants an opportunity to familiarize themselves with the routes before race day.
The competition will feature four race categories: the full marathon (42 kilometers), half marathon (21 kilometers), 10-kilometer race and a 5-kilometer event for boys and girls under 18.
According to the event schedule, the elite men’s and women’s marathon will begin at Chemarkach at 6 a.m.
The half marathon for men and women will start in Brooklyn at 6:30 a.m.
The 10-kilometer race will flag off at 8:30 a.m. inside Kaptagat Forest between Kaptagat Girls High School and Kaptarakwa, while the 5-kilometer junior race will start from Kaptarakwa Mokwo at 9 a.m.
All races will finish at Kaptarakok Primary School.
The official route map shows competitors running through sections of the Kaptagat Forest ecosystem, passing educational institutions and conservation areas before crossing the finish line.
Organizers say the course has been designed to challenge elite competitors while showcasing one of Kenya’s most important water towers and one of the country’s most famous high-altitude training grounds for distance runners.
The marathon also carries one of the richest prize purses on Kenya’s local road racing calendar, with more than KSh 7.3 million up for grabs across the four race categories.
The 42-kilometer elite men’s and women’s race will offer a total prize purse of KSh 3,718,000, making it the highest-paying category of the event.
Competitors in the 21-kilometer men’s and women’s race will battle for a prize fund of KSh 2,472,000, while the 10-kilometer men’s and women’s race has a total prize purse of KSh 922,000.
Young athletes competing in the 5-kilometer Under-18 boys’ and girls’ race will share a prize fund of KSh 265,000, reflecting the organizers’ commitment to nurturing emerging talent.
Officials expect the attractive prize money to draw elite Kenyan runners, international competitors and promising young athletes seeking both victory and qualification opportunities ahead of major championships.
Beyond competition, organizers say the marathon seeks to promote environmental conservation and sustainable development by highlighting the importance of protecting Kaptagat Forest, one of Kenya’s critical water catchment areas.
The event combines athletics with conservation initiatives aimed at restoring forest cover, combating climate change and promoting eco-tourism in the region.
Several government agencies and organizations have partnered to support the marathon.
Among the key partners are Athletics Kenya, the Kenya Forest Service (KFS), the Ministry of Environment, Climate Change and Forestry, the Sports, Arts and Social Development Fund (SASDF), the Kaptagat Integrated Conservation Programme, and the Mission 15 Billion Trees (Jaza Miti) campaign.
Organizers say the partnerships reflect the marathon’s dual mission of promoting sporting excellence while advancing Kenya’s environmental restoration agenda.
Kaptagat Forest has produced generations of internationally acclaimed distance runners and remains one of the country’s premier high-altitude training destinations.
The annual marathon has increasingly become a platform for promoting athletics, environmental conservation, eco-tourism and community development while celebrating Kenya’s rich distance-running heritage.
Registration remains open, with organizers encouraging elite athletes, recreational runners and schools to register early ahead of the event.
Participants have also been urged to study the official route maps and race schedules to help them prepare adequately and plan their travel before race day.
Eldoret Leo