ELDORET, Kenya, February 22, 2025 – Triple Olympic champion Faith Kipyegon and her world record holder for the women’s 10km, Agnes Jebet, were diplomatic ahead of Saturday’s Sirikwa Classic World Cross Country Tour in Eldoret.
The two are set to headline the fourth edition of the World Athletics (WA) gold label event as they both run in the senior women’s 10km.
Understandably, ahead of their showdown, Kipyegon and Jebet were the star attractions of Friday’s pre-race media briefing at the Boma Inn Hotel in Eldoret.
Nonetheless, both were keen to downplay the significance of showdown, instead describing it as an opportunity to build up for a busy season in track and field.
Jebet said she is looking forward to sharpening her physical and mental readiness for the World Championships in Tokyo, which is at the top of her to-do list for 2025.
“The Sirikwa Classic Cross country is a perfect build up for the season. I am looking forward to more success in the track. Last year, I began my year with a world record and I am hoping that it will be the same case this year as well,” the 24-year-old said.
Having missed out on the Paris Olympics, last year, the 24-year-old is determined to achieve her dream of establishing her name on track and field by making the podium in Tokyo.
“My ultimate desire was to compete at the Paris Olympics but I missed out on it because of injury. It really hurt and made me sad but thankfully I finished the year by setting the second fastest time in the Valencia Half Marathon (1:03:04),” she said.
On her part, Kipyegon continues to live up to her first name, pushing the boundaries of faith as far as moving the mountain of athletics is concerned.
One may feel that having smashed the world record on four different occasions and made history as the first female athletes to win three straight Olympic titles in 1500m, Kipyegon would stamp the brakes on what is a supersonic ascent to G.O.A.T (Greatest of All Time) levels.
However, she remains as ambitious as she was when she was running barefoot at the national cross country championships.
Kipyegon first ran at the Sirikwa Classic in 2023 where she clocked 33:55 to win the senior women’s 10km.
That year, she went on to smash the world record for the women’s 1500m, 5000m and the mile.
The 31-year-old is hopeful that lightning will strike twice for her at the Lobo Village – the venue for Saturday’s event.
“In 2023, I won the Sirikwa Classic World Cross Country and it turned out to be a beautiful year. This year I am hoping it will be the same case after I compete in tomorrow’s race,” Kipyegon said.
Sitting in front of a battery of journalists, all smiles and calm before the storm, Kipyegon couldn’t help but reflect on how far she has come in cross country.
“When they changed the senior women’s race from 8km to 10km, I was a bit afraid but this is the life of an athlete. I had to adjust and I am happy I have benefited a lot from cross country,” the world 5000m champion said.
The Sirikwa Classic World Cross Country Tour has attracted hundreds of athletes, including 20 from other countries in the world, including Ukraine, India, Uganda, Ethiopia, Poland, and Germany, among others.
Speaking at the same time, renowned athletics coach Patrick Sang’ exalted the significance of the global competition as far as Kenya’s stature is concerned.
“We appreciate AK for lobbying for the sirikwa Classic. We have seen talents nurtured and nations brought together. This event has done a lot for us as the sport of athletics and Kenya as a country,” Sang said.
He further said the success of the competition, as well as the Kip Keino Classic, should encourage Athletics Kenya (AK) to bid for bigger events.
AK president Lt Gen (Rtd) Jack Tuwei also urged Kenyans to turn up in their numbers on Saturday and witness the best of the best athletics has to offer.
“I want to challenge the Kenyans to come and attend this event in numbers. I’d like all the Kenyans to come. I’d like to ask the media to continue encouraging Kenyans to come and support this event,” Lt Gen (Rtd) Tuwei said.
Winners of the senior men and women’s race winners will pocket approximately Ksh 780,000 as second-place and third-place finishers receive an estimated Ksh 650,000 and Ksh 520,000 respectively.
The first 15 finishers will be awarded.
On the other hand, victors in the Under 20 races will earn Ksh 162,000 as the second and third-place finishers pocket Ksh 130,000 and Ksh 104,000 respectively.
The top 10 finishers in these categories will be rewarded.
