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40 athletes from 14 nations to face off in Sirikiwa Classic
A section of the Absa Sirikwa Classic World Cross Country Tour course that runs through a tented area at Lobo Village in Eldoret, Uasin Gishu County, in this picture taken on February 20, 2025.
What you need to know:
- Meanwhile, a giant screen has been mounted inside Lobo Village to enable fans follow the action from a different perspective.
- The meet will be broadcast live on NTV from 12pm.
Some 40 athletes from 14 nations will race in the fourth edition of the Absa Sirikwa Classic Cross Country meet at the Lobo Village in Eldoret, Uasin Gishu Saturday.
The athletes, who started streaming into the county Friday for the World Athletics Gold Tour event, include Uganda’s Loice Chekwemoi, the Great Chepsaita Great Run Cross Country champion.
Chekwemoi who has been juggling her training between Kenya and Uganda will fancy her chances against formidable local opponents including women’s 1,500m world record holder Faith Kipyegon and women’s 10km world record holder Agnes Jebet Ngetich.
Chekwemoi finished in ninth position at last year’s World Cross Country Championships in Belgrade, Serbia.
She won the 2024 African Games women’s 3,000m steeplechase title.
Her compatriots in the meet are Kenneth Kiprop, Martin Kiprotich Magengo, Risper Cherop Nowel Cheruto, Nancy Chekwurui and Martha Chemutai.
Other foreign entries who arrived in Kenya Friday are Ethiopians Gelanu Getu Hordofa and Emebet Kebede Dessie who will compete in the senior women’s 10km category and Ali Ahmed Mohamed, Ayana Geneti and Tolosa Gemechu, who will race in the men’s equivalent.
Also in the foreign list are Florea Madalina from Romania, Olga Nyzhnyk and Viktoriia Kaliuzhna from Ukraine, Silvie Valova from Czech Republic Harshad Mahatare and Abishek Pal from India, and Krystian Zalewski from Poland.
“We are glad because there are international entries whom I am sure are also here to gauge their fitness. All the athletes competing in the event have a target and that is why you will see marathoners, road racers and track athletes competing in the race,” said Meet Director Barnaba Korir.
Meanwhile, a giant screen has been mounted inside Lobo Village to enable fans follow the action from a different perspective.
The meet will be broadcast live on NTV from 12pm.
