Agnes Jebet, the world record holder for the women’s 10km, will headline the upcoming Sirikwa Classic World Cross Country Tour in Eldoret on February 22.
Jebet, 25, is excited to return to cross country racing, marking her first competition in this format after a long break. "This race is a great opportunity for me to prepare for the upcoming season," she said. "It’s been a while since I last ran a cross country race, and I’m looking forward to competing again. I’m confident this event will be a huge success."
Her appearance follows a year of impressive performances in road races. She set a world record in the Valencia Ibercaja 10km race last January, clocking 28:46. Later in 2024, she came close to breaking the half marathon world record at the Valencia Marathon with a time of 1:02:52, placing her in the spotlight.
In cross country, Jebet last competed at the World Championships in March 2024, finishing fourth in the senior women’s 10km with a time of 31:27. Now, she is eager to begin 2025 with another strong showing, starting at the Sirikwa Classic.
“I’m ready to push my limits,” Jebet shared. “There’s more to come from me, and I’m not stopping at the 10km world record. I believe I’m capable of even more. I encourage all competitors to register for this event to make it a success.”
The Sirikwa Classic, now in its fourth edition, will take place at Lobo Village in Eldoret, where athletes will compete in five categories: senior men’s and women’s 10km, Under 20 men’s 8km, Under 20 women’s 6km, and kids' athletics.
Athletics Kenya (AK) President Lt Gen (Rtd) Jack Tuwei called on Kenyans to attend the event. "Come and witness the best of the best," he said. "It’s rare to see a double Olympic champion like Beatrice Chebet and a world record holder like Agnes Jebet in the same race."
Meet director Barnaba Korir highlighted that the event would not only feature elite athletes but also serve as a platform for nurturing future Kenyan stars. “We’ve partnered with local primary schools to include kids' athletics as part of the event, and we expect several international athletes to join the competition,” Korir said.
The event has been boosted by a Ksh 11 million sponsorship from Absa Kenya, reaffirming the bank's ongoing commitment to supporting Kenyan sports. "We believe every story matters, especially those of our athletes like Eliud Kipchoge, who inspire us all," said Julius Songok, regional manager for Absa Kenya.
Cash prizes will be awarded to top finishers, with senior category winners set to receive Ksh 780,000, while second and third-place athletes will earn Ksh 650,000 and Ksh 520,000, respectively. Under 20 winners will take home Ksh 162,000, with similar prizes for second and third.
Technical director Ibrahim Hussein also confirmed slight adjustments to the course to enhance athlete welfare, including showers for the athletes due to the hot weather. "This year, there will be minimal dust at the finish area thanks to the recent rains and the growth of grass," Hussein said.
The Sirikwa Classic will also serve as the final World Athletics Gold Label race of the cross-country season.
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