In a race defined by red mud, swirling mist, and unforgiving gradients, it was Catherine Reline who delivered a masterclass in resilience and rhythm at the weekend’s 2025 Kaptagat Forest Half Marathon, winning the women’s 21km in emphatic fashion—and affirming her growing stature in Kenya’s distance running elite.
Women’s 21km: Reline’s rain-laced redemption
Running with quiet confidence through the drenched trails of Simotwo, Elgeyo Marakwet, Reline (bib 115) built her lead with a strong start—splitting 16:22 at 5km, 37:33 at 10km, and 53:39 at 15km—before storming to the finish in 1:14:23.
Her steady cadence and tactical footwork on the slick forest floor left her unchallenged as she crossed the tape.
This performance wasn’t a fluke.
Reline, known for her smooth-running style and composed race management, has been knocking on the doors of greatness for the past year, with strong showings at local championships and training camps around Kaptagat and Iten.
But it was here, on a course where red clay turns into quicksand underfoot, that she truly came into her own.
“The forest was unforgiving,” Reline said afterward, mud splattered up her legs.
“But I trusted my rhythm and focused on staying upright through the slippery patches. Once I found my footing, I just kept pressing.”
Behind her, Vivian Cherotich (1:15:09) and Catherine Peiyoy (1:15:44) engaged in a thrilling chase, but Reline’s early move proved decisive.
Men’s 21km: Rotich edges rivals in forest dogfight
While Reline ruled with rhythm, the men’s 21km was a gritty duel decided in the final kilometer. Gideon Kiprop Rotich (bib 355) outpaced a tightly packed lead group to take the win in 1:07:02, just edging Wisley Kipkemoi Yego (1:07:04) and Alfred Kipkemoi Cheruiyot (1:07:05).
The trio had matched strides through the checkpoints—splitting 14:19 at 5km and 47:21 at 15km—but it was Rotich who found one last gear on the downhill sprint back toward Simotwo High School.
“You couldn’t push the way you normally would,” Rotich said.
“The ground was soft; the air was heavy. But that’s Kaptagat—it doesn’t reward the fastest, it rewards the smartest and toughest.”
Indeed, the top five finishers were separated by just 16 seconds, marking one of the closest and most exhilarating editions in Kaptagat’s history.
GALLERY: PHOTOS COURTESY
Kaptagat’s Green Heartbeat – Running for Conservation
Beyond the times and titles, the Kaptagat Forest Half Marathon stands for something even more enduring: forest conservation.
The annual race doubles as a call to action to protect the Kaptagat Forest, a high-altitude ecosystem that plays a critical role in both environmental sustainability and athletic excellence.
Nestled at 2,600 metres above sea level, Kaptagat offers clean air, cool climate, and pristine trails that shape world-class endurance athletes.
Olympic legends like Eliud Kipchoge, Faith Kipyegon and dozens of rising stars train here year-round, relying on the forest not just as a training base but as a sanctuary for recovery, breathing, and mental clarity.
“This forest is our lifeline,” said one coach at the race. “Protecting it means protecting the future of Kenyan athletics.”
In partnership with local environmental groups, race organizers have continued to plant indigenous trees and advocate against deforestation.
Portions of the entry fees go toward ongoing forest regeneration efforts, while athletes and fans are encouraged to participate in tree planting campaigns.
Kaptagat’s Essence: Mist, Muscle, Myth
This year’s race embodied everything that makes Kaptagat sacred ground for endurance runners.
At an elevation of 2,600 meters, with trails that weave through pine plantations and clay paths that turn to mush in the rain, the conditions test not only strength but spirit.
Hundreds of spectators braved the weather, cheering through fog and drizzle, wrapped in shawls and plastic covers.
From the starting line at Simotwo High School to the winding loops deep in the forest, their energy added life to an otherwise grey morning.
Organizers hinted at improved trail drainage for future editions, but few runners were complaining.
For many, it’s exactly the unpredictability—the raw challenge—that keeps the Kaptagat Forest Half Marathon iconic.
As the sun finally broke through and lit up the red-drenched hills, it was clear that on this muddy stage, a new heroine had emerged—and her name is Catherine Reline.
Top 10 – Men’s 21km Results:
- Gideon Kiprop Rotich – 1:07:02
- Wisley Kipkemoi Yego – 1:07:04
- Alfred Kipkemoi Cheruiyot – 1:07:05
- Kalipus Lomwai – 1:07:12
- Stephen Kimutai Kibet – 1:07:18
- Philemon Kiprotich Konor – 1:07:35
- Timothy Kiptoo – 1:07:56
- Patrick Mosin – 1:08:01
- Noah Kipkemboi – 1:08:18
- Jonah Belio – 1:08:21
Top 6 – Women’s 21km Results:
- Catherine Reline – 1:14:23
- Vivian Cherotich – 1:15:09
- Catherine Peiyoy – 1:15:44
- Gladys Longari – 1:15:48
- Beatrice Cheserek – 1:16:49
- Gladys Jeptepkeny – 1:17:33
Robert Kibet is a freelance journalist based in Nairobi, Kenya. He previously worked as a correspondent for Milele FM. His feature stories on development, the climate crisis, the environment, conflict, human rights, food security, and education have been published in The Guardian UK, Reuters, IPS, DW, The New Humanitarian, and Equal Times.
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