Agnes Ngetich is eyeing what only three Kenyans have achieved in the history of athletics.
The world women’s 10km record holder is looking to add the World Half Marathon title to her World Cross Country Championships crown.
Legendary Paul Tergat, Geoffrey Kamworor, also known as the man of all surfaces, and Florence Kiplagat are the only Kenyans to have won both titles.
Kenyan long-distance runner Agnes Ngetich.
Photo credit: Jared Nyataya | Nation Media Group
Ngetich, who destroyed the field with a gun-to-tape performance at the 46th World Athletics Cross Country Championships, Tallahassee, Florida, United States in January, is hoping to enhance her status as a distance running great with victory at the World Athletics Road Running Championships in Copenhagen, Denmark next month.
The 25-year-old Ngetich will lead a 16-strong Team Kenya to the global road running championship from September 19 to 20 in the Danish capital.
Tergat won five consecutive World Cross Country Championships titles in the senior men’s race from 1995 to 1999, besides winning the World Half Marathon Championships twice, in 1999 and 2000.
Kamworor won back-to-back World Cross Country gold medals in 2015 and 2017 and World Half Marathon titles in 2014, 2016, and 2018.
Kiplagat won the women’s World Cross Country gold medal in 2009 in Jordan before claiming the World Half Marathon crown in 2010.
Ngetich is also looking to join the special Kenyan list composed of Peres Jepchirchir and Tegla Loroupe, all three-time winners, Kiplagat, Mary Keitany and Gladys Cherono, who have held the World Half Marathon women’s title over the years.
Kenya's Agnes Jebet Ngetich after winning the senior women's race in 31:28 during the World Athletics Cross Country Championships in Florida, USA on January 10.
Photo credit: Kirby Lee | Reuters
“Personally, I have been inspired by Jepchirchir. In her absence, I will strive to have the title remain at home,” said Ngetich, who trains in Iten, Elgeyo Marakwet County.
Ngetich heads into Copenhagen as favourite. She is the fastest woman in the field, with the second fastest time in history of 1:03:04 from her victory in Valencia in 2024.
She will team up with Daegu Marathon champion Lilian Kasait, Daisilah Jerono and Veronica Loleo. The Team Kenya squad was announced by Athletics Kenya director of competitions, Paul Mutwii, at Kenmosa Village in Eldoret, yesterday.
Kenya will field full teams in the half marathon, and two athletes each in the 5km and Road Mile in both men and women. Daniel Simiu headlines the men’s squad that also has Nicholas Kipkorir Kimeli, Michael Kiplagat Temoi and Gideon Rono in the half marathon race.
