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2026 Sirikwa Classic: Home runner Ng’etich keeps women’s title as newcomer Korir wins men’s crown, Simiu fifth
Agnes Jebet Ng'etich wins senior women's 10km race in 2026 Sirikwa Classic on Saturday at Lobo Village in Eldoret, Uasin Gishu County. She retained the title she won in the 2025 edition of the World Athletics Cross Country Continental Gold Tour event.
World Athletics Cross Country Championships winner, Agnes Jebet Ng’etich, and John Korir were on Saturday crowned winners of the senior races of the Sirikwa Classic held at Lobo Village in Eldoret, Uasin Gishu County.
Elsewhere, the going got tough for two-time champion Daniel Simiu Ebenyo, who faded to fifth in the senior men’s 10km race.
The Kenyan runners staged dominant displays to win races in the fifth edition of the World Athletics Cross Country Championships Continental Gold Tour event held in Eldoret.
John Korir wins senior men's 10km race in 2026 Sirikwa Classic on Saturday at Lobo Village in Eldoret, Uasin Gishu County. The World Athletics Cross Country Continental Gold Tour event marked five years since being held for the first time in 2022.
Ng’etich ran from the front from the start, and surged ahead of the leading pack as the race wore on to cross the finish line in 32 minutes and 28 seconds, winning ahead of her compatriot Mercy Chepkemoi who timed 33:51.
Ng’etich, who trains in Kenya’s high altitude region of Iten, later paid glowing tribute to fans who cheered her to victory, saying they played a big role in helping her retain the title she won in 2025.
“The race was good, and everything went according to plan for me. It feels good to have won the title at home. The crowd was so supportive and the fans kept urging me to fight on, and that motivated me a lot,” she said afterwards.
Agnes Jebet Ng'etich wins senior women's 10km race in 2026 Sirikwa Classic on Saturday at Lobo Village in Eldoret, Uasin Gishu County.
Defending champion Ng’etich also won the women’s 10km title at the 2026 World Athletics Cross Country Championships held in Tallahassee in Florida in January.
In the senior men’s category, Korir who is also the reigning Boston Marathon champion, took control of the race after three laps and crossed the finish line in 29:44 ahead of his compatriots Amos Kiprotich who finished second in 29:46, and third-placed Silas Senchura who timed 29:46.
“I was competing here to gauge my performance and being my first cross country race, I’m excited to have beaten a strong field to win here. My next plan is to compete in the Boston Marathoner on April 13,” said Korir.
The going got tough for two-time champion Daniel Simiu Ebenyo, who faded to fifth.
More to follow...
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