Triple Olympic champion in 1500m and world record Faith Kipyegon, will take on the 10km world record holder, Agnes Jebet Ngetich, in the 10km senior women’s final tomorrow in the 4th edition of the Absa Sirikwa Classic World Cross Country Tour at the Lobo Village, Kapseret, in Eldoret City.
Speaking during today’s event press conference in Eldoret, Kipyegon, who is the former record holder in 5,000m, said she is excited to return to Sirikwa, where she began her 2023 season, before claiming double gold at the World Athletics Championships.
Kipyegon said she will be using tomorrow’s event to kick-start her season, which she is also targeting to debut in the 10,000m.
“I am starting my season tomorrow at Sirikwa; this year I will run 1,500m, 5,000m, and maybe, who knows, I may debut in 10,000m this year.”said Kipyegon
Fastest half marathoner Agnes Jebet Ng’etich said she is prepared for a good race tomorrow and a historic moment for her to run against her icon Kipyegon.
“I don’t have pressure; I will be running my race. It will be great running against Faith for the 1st time.” said excited Jebet
The two will face off against a host of local and foreign athletes led by Africa 3,000msc champion, Loice Chekwemoi from Uganda, who is returning to Kenya, barely two months after claiming victory at the 2nd Great Chepsaita cross country.
Reigning 5,000m bronze medalist Jacob Krop will headline the men’s 10km elite field, returning to cross country for the 1st time since 2021, which he says will be part of his season’s preparations ahead of the September World Athletics Championships in Tokyo, Japan.
Krop, who won silver in the 5,000m during the 2022 World Athletics Championship in Oregon, will face stiff competition from the 2022 world silver medalist Stanley Mburu, former world U20 silver medalist Leonard Bett, Keneth Kiprop, and Martin Kiprotich, both from Uganda, and Keny Kimutai of the USA, among others.
Meet director Barnaba Korir, revealed that the federation is using the event in preparation for bidding for the World Athletics Championship after losing to Tokyo for this year’s event.
Over 1,000 athletes are expected to compete tomorrow in the under-20, 10 km, and 2 km loop events, all starting in the afternoon, and will be preceded by the kids athletics.
Winners of the 10 km Tomorrow’s winners in 10 km will be rewarded Ksh 780,000, while silver and bronze medalists’ will pocket Ksh 650,000 and 520,000, respectively.
