Preparations are almost complete for the 4th edition of the Sirikwa Classic World Cross country Tour set for Lobo Village in Kapseret on the 22nd of this month.
According to the local organising committee, the route mapping has already been done with a few changes expected, including obstacles to make it more interesting.
This year’s edition is expected to be more intriguing with the introduction of new challenges for athletes along the course including a water sprinkler similar to one at the Chepsaita Cross Country.
Course director who is also the four time Boston Marathon Champion Ibrahim Hussein said there will be no change on the route .
Hussein said, “The route remains the same and the obstacles; we have already done the mapping of the 2 km loop. We are going to have the same obstacles as last year with some hay bars along the course and a water sprinkler which we are introducing for the 1st time; actually, we borrowed this from Chepsaita.”
Meet Director Barnaba Korir said top athletes from Africa, America and Europe have already confirmed their participation in this year’s edition, which will also conclude the cross-country season for local athletes.
“Having successfully hosted the previous 3 editions, I am confident that this year will be the best. Already we have top athletes from Ethiopia, Uganda, the USA and Germany who have confirmed to compete in this year’s edition, said Korir.
A total of Ksh 15.2 million will be up for grabs in this year’s championships, with the winners of the 10k races set to pocket Ksh 960,000; 800,000 for silver medallists and Ksh 640,000 for bronze medallists.
“We encourage our local athletes to take this event seriously for their season’s preparations as well as win the top prize money, being the only gold label cross country in Africa.” added Korir
Athletics Kenya has urged the invited athletes to take advantage of home support and win the prize money as well as use it to prepare for the season ahead of the World Athletics Championships to be held in Tokyo, Japan, in September.
New winners in the 10 km are expected in this year’s championship after the withdrawal of Daniel Ebenyo Simiu, who won the men’s race, while Emmaculate Anyango, who emerged the winner of the women’s competition, is suspended for doping.
Sirikwa is the only gold label cross-country meet in Africa.
