On October 13, 2021, the world woke up to the shocking news of the murder of 2015 World Athletics Cross Country Championships winner Agnes Tirop at her home in Iten, Elgeyo Marakwet County.
Tirop’s death came at a time when Athletics Kenya had just been awarded the hosting rights for one of the events in the newly introduced World Cross Country Continental Gold Tour.
Named ‘Agnes Tirop Memorial Cross Country’ in honour of the award-winning runner, the first edition was held in 2022 at Lobo Village in Eldoret, Uasin Gishu County. It was renamed ‘Sirikwa Classic’ the following year. The fifth edition of the race will be held on Saturday.
Promising career cut short
The event is expected to attract a strong field of more than 5,000 runners, including 80 international competitors.
For many athletes who turned up to compete in the early editions, the race was about more than just competition. Some ran to impress selectors, while others competed in honour of Tirop, whose promising career was cut short in a cruel manner.
In 2022, Ethiopia’s Senbere Teferi travelled to Eldoret to compete in the race as a way of paying tribute to her friend Tirop with whom she shared fond memories. The two had competed together many times abroad before becoming close friends.
Teferi finished second behind race winner Tirop in senior women’s race at the 2015 World Athletics Cross Country Championships. That contact blossomed into a strong friendship that grew stronger over the years.
Sirikwa Classic World Cross Country Tour’s Technical Director Ibrahim Hussein (left), Competition Director Kennedy Tanu, Athletics Kenya’s Athletes Representative Milcah Chemos and other officials address the media at Lobo Village in Kapseret, Uasin Gishu County on February 09, 2026.
Photo credit: Jared Nyataya | Nation Media Group
“Tirop was my best friend and we used to share a lot concerning our career and it was so sad to lose her in such a manner. No human being should go through what she went through. The sporting community must stand united against gender-based violence,” Teferi told Nation Sport at the time.
On Monday, she indicated that she will not compete in this year’s race because she is on maternity leave.
Since its inception in 2022, the Sirikwa Classic has produced several champions who have gone on to achieve success on the global stage.
Fresh from winning a bronze medal at the 2026 World Cross Country Championships in Tallahassee, Florida, USA, in January, defending champion Daniel Simiu is eyeing a third consecutive title. He admits the race has played a key role in his development as an athlete.
Chasing third straight title
Simiu won the 2024 edition of the race, and retained his title last year. He is chasing a third straight title on Saturday.
“I’m well prepared to compete in the fifth edition of the race. I hope to win a third straight title on Saturday. I know it won’t be an easy affair, but I am prepared,” said Simiu.
In the women’s race, defending champion Agnes Jebet Ngetich enjoyed a breakthrough season after her victory in the race last year. She went on to win gold medal at the 2026 World Athletics Cross Country Championships in USA.
“Sirikwa Classic acts as a launching pad for careers. I advise athletes to compete in such races because they help develop their careers. In my case, I competed in last year’s race and won, and it opened many doors for me because I won so many races since the,” Ng’etich said.
