Triple 1,500m Olympic Champion Faith Kipyegon (left) and the 10km world record holder Agnes Chebet, during the Absa Sirikwa Classic World Cross Country Tour pre-race press conference in Eldoret City on February 21, 2025.
The 2025 Absa Sirikwa Classic World Cross Country Tour meet today at Lobo Village, Eldoret promises fireworks.
Sample this. When Faith Kipyegon swept through the dusty and sweltering course to win the 2023 Sirikwa Classic, she set the stage for one of the most phenomenal performances in world of athletics.
The triple Olympic 1,500 metres champion went on to break three world records within two months -- 1,500m (3:49.11), 5,000m (14:05.20) and One Mile (4:07.64) besides clinching world titles in 1,500m and 5,000m, making history as the first woman to do so.
President William Ruto rewarded her with Sh5 million for breaking the 1,500m world record and a house worth the same amount for breaking the 5,000m world record. She capped the year with an additional Sh6 million for her World Athletics Championships exploits.
Kipyegon, who wrote more history by becoming the first woman to win three consecutive Olympic 1,500m titles -- 2016 Rio, 2020 Tokyo and 2024 Paris, is hoping that winning at Sirikwa this year will brings similar fortunes in 2025, a world championships season.
“I am glad to start my season at Sirikwa and hope for a classy 2025 season. This is where I started my 2023 season with victory and went on to break three world records besides winning two world titles,” said Kipyegon yesterday in Eldoret. “I am praying for a similar show this year.”
The World Athletics Championships are scheduled for September 13 to 25 in Tokyo, Japan.
“Last year was really good, winning my third Olympic title and an additional 5,000m silver too. Despite the stress I had when I was disqualified before being reinstated to silver medal position in the 5,000m in Paris, I went on to defend my Olympic title,” said Kipyegon, 31.
From left: Poland's Kristian Zalenski, Kenya's Faith Kipyegon, Agnes Chebet, Jacob Krop and Abraham Cherutich of Uganda during the Absa Sirikwa Classic World Cross Country Tour pre-race press conference in Eldoret City on February 21, 2025.
“Cross country is the most precise build up for any athlete ahead of the season and the 2023 season is a clear manifestation where I won and went on beautifully to break three world records. I couldn’t defend my title last year owing to an injury,” saidKipyegon. She said she would race in both the 1,500m and 5,000m this year.
“I will decide later whether to change to 10,000m this year or next year.”
Kipyegon fancies her chances of coming up against 10km world record holder Agnes Jebet Ng’etich, African Games 10,000m champion Janeth Chepng’etich, Discovery Cross Country champion Priscah Jepleting Cherono and Uganda’s Loice Chekwemoi, the reigning Great Chepsaita Great Run Cross Country champion.
“My wish is to go all the way but we have a strong, quality field,” said Kipyegon.
“This is a queen versus the princess meeting. It’s a great honour and privilege to compete with Faith, who is the queen, for the first time.
She is one of my mentors and role models having watched her winning at the 2016 Rio Olympics when I was still young and in schoo. So no pressure for me,” said Ng’etich, who is considering doubling in 5,000m and 10,000m at the Tokyo world championships.
The 2023 world 5,000m bronze medallist, Jacob Krop is eying a good start to the season as he competes in cross country for the first time since 2021.
"An injury messed up my season last year but I feel much better," said Krop, who finished 10th the 5,000m at the Paris Olympic Games.
The World Athletics Gold Label Tour event that has drawn 40 foreign athletes starts at 9am with the 2km race for the 13-15 years’ boys and ends with the elite men’s 10km race at 3.10pm.
