Monica Jelimo and Ndung’u wa Kieya Win 2025 Kaptagat Cycling Challenge as Conservation Takes Center Stage

 

By Wasike Elvis 

Monica Jelimo and Ndung’u wa Kieya were crowned champions of the 2025 Kaptagat Cycling Challenge, a thrilling race that combined athletic excellence with a powerful environmental message.

Jelimo, who hails from Iten and trains with the INEOS Eliud Kipchoge team, was a crowd favorite and did not disappoint. After finishing third in 2024, she crossed the finish line in first place this year, visibly emotional as cheers from her family rang through the forested course.

“This competition is not just a race for me, it’s a race for impact,” said Jelimo. “The Kaptagat Forest has shaped us, and it’s our turn to give back. Riding through trees is cooler and healthier than open dry areas. We must all plant trees—protecting nature protects us.”

Jelimo, who first raced in the event’s inaugural edition in 2022, said she feels more motivated than ever, with her eyes now set on her next race in Vipingo next month.

In the men’s category, Ndung’u wa Kieya stormed to victory ahead of Ugandan Olympian Charles Kagimu, both riders representing Team Amani. Kieya, who trains in Limuru, used his familiarity with cold, foggy conditions to his advantage.

“I finished ninth last year, so I came back determined to prove myself,” Kieya said. “It’s been a tough journey, but I kept my focus and worked on my mentality and tactics. Racing through a forest like this reminds us how much we need nature—the air we breathe, the rain we depend on. Trees give us that.”

In para-cycling, Paralympian Kennedy Ogada claimed the men’s title, ahead of Gabriel Ambuko of Team VeloNos. On the women’s side, Felistus Kaveva—fresh from a strong showing at the African Championships—outpaced Irene Ngundo to clinch victory.

The race, which started as a grassroots event, has grown to become a major fixture in Kenya’s cycling calendar. But beyond the competition, the Kaptagat Cycling Challenge serves a larger purpose: environmental restoration.

According to Jackson Kiplagat, Head of Conservation Programs at WWF-Kenya, the race is part of the 9th edition of the Kaptagat Integrated Conservation Program. The initiative blends sports, environmental restoration, and livelihood improvement.

“This program, which targets 28,000 households over the next decade, focuses on tree planting, access to clean water, and renewable energy solutions like biogas,” said Kiplagat. “Today’s cycling event is proof that a healthy ecosystem supports not just nature, but also athletes and community well-being.”

Following the race, cyclists gathered at the Eliud Kipchoge adopted site in the Kaptagat Forest Block to plant 300 trees—symbolizing their commitment to nurturing the forest that has played a pivotal role in their careers.

Elgeyo Marakwet County Forest Conservator Paul Koech highlighted the success of ongoing restoration efforts.

“We’ve restored 3,000 hectares of previously degraded land, with over 95% now fully rehabilitated,” Koech said. “The involvement of athletes and communities through events like this ensures lasting impact.”

The challenge is also a prelude to a major conservation event slated for July 11, where President William Ruto will officiate the launch of the 9th edition of the restoration program at Onio Simotwo High School. A nationwide tree-planting campaign involving corporates, communities, and conservation stakeholders is scheduled for the same day.

As Kaptagat blossoms into a hub for both elite sports and environmental stewardship, the synergy between people, nature, and purpose was on full display—on two wheels and among the trees.