The 10-kilometre world record holder, Agnes Jebet Ng’etich, beat triple Olympic 1,500m champion Faith Kipyegon and a fine field to win this year’s Absa Sirikwa Cross Country Championships women’s 10km race.
Ng’etich’s gamble paid off as she built the gap to 45 seconds after an early take-off in the scorching afternoon sun before winning by one minute and 10 seconds.
The going was tough for Kipyegon who withdrew after the third lap as Ng’etich, the 2023 world cross country bronze medallist, swept through the Lobo Village, Uasin Gishu County for her maiden victory.
The last time Ng’etich competed at Sirikwa was during the inaugural 2022 championship, then known as Agnes Tirop Cross Country Classic, where she finished 17th.
Faith Kipyegon competes in the elite women's 10km race at the 4th Edition of Sirikwa Classic World Cross Country Tour at Lobo Village in Kapseret, Uasin Gishu County on February 22, 2025.
Photo credit: Jared Nyataya | Nation Media Group
Ng’etich clocked 32 minutes and 42 seconds to see off the Africa 10,000m champion Janeth Chepng’etich to second place in 33:52 as Miriam Cherop came third in 34:09.
“I thank God for the energy. It is my first time competing with Faith and I had planned my race well,” said Ng’etich, disclosing that she reacted early after her body responded well against the seething heat.
Ng’etich said he was happy to start her season well with victory as she builds up towards the national team selection for the World Athletics Championships.
“I don’t know why Faith dropped out but I really respect her because she's my mentor,” said Ng’etich.
Chepng’etich said the race was competitive and running against a fine field that had Ng’etich and Kipyegon gave her good preparations ahead of the track season.
Elsewhere, Lemotit Athletics Club’s Cynthia Chepkirui atone for bronze medal exploits at the National Cross Country a fortnight ago to put away the women’s under-20 title.
It was a cat-and-mouse chase at the front between three athletes for the last two laps before Chepkurui showed her rivals a clean pair of heels to win in 20 minutes and 37 seconds.
Chepkirui stunned 2023 Africa Under-18 Joyline Chepkemoi and world under-20 3,000m steeplechase bronze medallist, Diana Chepkemoi to second place in 20:40 and 20:50 respectively.
“I wanted to win today after I finished third at the nationals. It’s so exciting…I am just happy,” said the Form Two student at Kalyet High School in Londiani, Kericho County.
“I was in good shape though it was humid. One of my shoes came off after I was stepped on. I had to go back and look for it before re-joining the race,” said Diana.
The 2021 world under-20 1,500m champion Purity Chepkirui signed her return from a hamstring injury to win the women's 2km race in six minutes and 46 seconds.
Chepkirui edged out Africa 800m silver medallist Lilian Odira, who had just arrived from the world indoor tour to second place in 6:47 as Daisilah Bor came third in 6:48.
“The course was windy but had to run a tactical race to prevail. It feels great to return from a hamstring injury that ruined my chances for the Paris Olympics last year,” said Chepkirui, who is preparing for the Diamond League season starting in April.
Odira, who is hopeful of making Team Kenya for the World Indoor Championships and World Athletics Championships had arrived a day before from Europe where she had competed in a series of world indoor tour races.
In one of her indoor races, Odira won the Lyon Indoor Meeting on February 15 in France in 2:01:20.
“I felt heavy since I had just arrived from wintery Europe where I debuted at the indoor events,” said Odira, who is looking forward to a great season in 800m.
The World Indoor Athletics Championships are scheduled for March 21 to 23 in Nanjing, China while the World Athletics Championships are programmed for September 13 to 21 this year in Tokyo, Japan.
Brenda Cherotich claimed girls 13-15 years 2km honours, edging out Dorcas Chepng’etich from Tiloa Primary School and Metipso Primary School’s Lynne Jemosop.
Sheila Chepkoech from Tiloa Primary School was girls’ 9-12 years 1km winner after waylaying Dorcas Chelengat from Katet Primary School as Lizz Chepkoech settled for third place.
