Agnes Ngetich /Photo courtesy/
10 KM World Record holder Agnes Ngetich will lead an ultra – rapid crew at the fourth edition of Sirikwa Classic Cross Country tour scheduled for February 22, this year.
In an exclusive interview with the Standard on Wednesday 12, February, Ngetich confirmed that she would be competing in the international event which will be taking place at Lobo village in Eldoret .
I will be here to participate again after racing during the Agnes Tirop memorial edition,” she said on Wednesday ,12 during the launch of the 2025 edition of Sirikwa World Cross Country Championships at the Lobo Village.
In 2022, the marathoner participated in the inauguration of the edition. At the time, it was called the Agnes Tirop Memorial Cross Country Tour in honour of track star Agnes Tirop, killed in 2021.
Ngetich, who finished fifth at the 2024 World Cross Country Championships, said the event will motivate young athletes.
The Sirikwa World Cross Country Tour will be the final X-C event this season, ushering in the track and field season.
Double Olympic champion Beatrice Chebet, who also graced the official launch of the cross country tour, said X-C was the perfect buildup for the track season.
“I ran the first edition (Sirikwa Classic Cross Country Tour) and the environment was good. This is the City of Champions and it’s a good place to be. Thank you for giving young and upcoming athletes. Some of them don’t get the chance to take part in international races,” Chebet said.
Three-time Boston Marathon champion Ibrahim Hussein has confirmed that the course is ready for the cross-country event scheduled for Saturday, February 22. Hussein, who is hosting the event, expressed his pride in organizing the competition at the scenic village, emphasizing the importance of staying involved in athletics after retirement.
“We are honoured. As a retired athlete, I could have stayed in the village, but I chose to remain in sports. Thank you for giving us the opportunity to host this event,” he said.
He acknowledged the event’s growth, saying, “We started with a bang and thought we had reached the limit, but it has grown into a much bigger show.”
Several adjustments have been made to enhance the competition and meet gold-level standards. The starting line has been moved 30 meters back to create a 100-meter stretch from the beginning, as required by technical officials. Cooling showers have been introduced to help athletes during the hot afternoon races, and a section of the course has been altered to accommodate a call room.
“The 2km course is ready, pending final marking. Last year, it was dusty, but this time, lavish grass will improve comfort for spectators and VIPs,” Hussein added. The finish line has been placed just across an eating area.
Athletics Kenya (AK) executive Barnaba Korir said the event is one of only two gold-level cross-country races in Kenya, alongside the Chepsaita Cross Country. A kids’ run has been added to make the event more exciting.
International athletes are also set to participate, with Agnes Jebet Ngetich among those who have confirmed attendance.
AK President Jackson Tuwei used the event launch to highlight challenges facing athletics, including doping, age cheating, and gender-based violence, which he said threaten the sport’s integrity.
“We are concluding the cross-country season with an international event, yet issues like doping and gender-based violence continue to tarnish our efforts. I urge the athletics community to uphold respect and integrity,” Tuwei said.
He emphasized Kenya’s bid for the 2029 World Championships in Nairobi, urging stakeholders to maintain high ethical standards.
“We are respected globally. To win this bid, we must respect ourselves by upholding integrity,” he said.
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