By KPC Sports Correspondent
World Cross Country champion Agnes Ng’etich and 2023 World 10,000m silver medallist Daniel Ebenyo will be the star attractions at the fifth edition of the Sirikwa Classic Cross Country Tour, set for February 14 at Lobo Village, Eldoret.
The duo will line up fresh from outstanding performances at the World Cross Country Championships held in Tallahassee, Florida, on January 10.
Ebenyo claimed bronze in Florida after clocking 28:45, finishing behind Uganda’s Jacob Kiplimo (28:18) and Ethiopia’s Berihu Aregawi (28:36).
Ng’etich, meanwhile, sealed her maiden global title with a winning time of 31:28, ahead of Uganda’s Joy Cheptoyek (32:10) and Ethiopia’s Senayet Getachew (32:13).
Speaking during the launch of this year’s race at Lobo Village, Ebenyo confirmed his participation and expressed excitement about returning to the prestigious event.
“I am happy to announce that I will be competing in the 2026 edition of the Sirikwa Classic,” Ebenyo said.
The 30-year-old will be chasing a historic hat-trick, having dominated the previous two editions.
In 2024, he won in 29:16 ahead of Ishmael Kipkurui (29:18) and Weldon Langat (29:26), before retaining his title last year in 29:57, beating Gideon Rono (30:07) and Nicholas Kipkorir (30:15).
“I look forward to lining up against strong athletes from both Kenya and foreign countries,” he added.
Ebenyo credited the Sirikwa Classic with playing a key role in his rise on the global stage.
“Winning the Sirikwa Classic in the past two editions was a great achievement. It challenged me and prepared me for greater success. It is the race that prepared me for the World Cross Country, where I won bronze,” he said.
Ng’etich will also be returning to defend the title she won last year in 32:42, ahead of Janeth Chepng’etich (33:52) and Miriam Chebet (34:09).
This year’s event will feature kids’ races for ages 5–8, 9–12 and 13–15, an Under-20 race, a 2km loop race, and elite 10km races for men and women.
Race director Barnaba Korir confirmed that participation in the elite and Under-20 races will be by invitation only, while kids’ races will be open through registration.
“Participation in the elite and Under-20 races will be by invitation, and for the kids’ athletics, that will be by registration,” Korir said.
Korir, who is also the National Olympic Committee of Kenya (NOCK) first vice president, highlighted the attractive prize money on offer.
Winners of the senior elite races will receive Sh774,102 ($6,000), Under-20 champions Sh161,271 ($1,250), while winners of the 2km loop race will pocket Sh258,034 ($2,000).
The event has received a major boost from title sponsors Absa, who have injected Sh8 million into the competition.
Korir thanked all partners supporting the race, including the Ministry of Sports and Athletics Kenya.
Athletics Kenya director of competitions Kennedy Tanui confirmed that all requirements to host a Gold Label event have been met.
“All requirements from World Athletics, including certification standards, have been met to host a Gold Label event,” Tanui said.
Technical director Ibrahim Hussein added that the course will remain unchanged from last year.
“The course is unchanged. We will start from the same starting point as last year,” he said.