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Ngetich, Simiu back to defend Sirikwa Classic Cross-Country titles
World Cross Country Elite Women Champion, Agnes Ng'etich and World Cross Country Bronze Medalist Simiu Ebenyo, during the Absa Sirikwa Classic World Cross Country Tour Media Launch, held at Lobo Village in Kapseret, Eldoret City of Uasin Gishu County on January 20, 2026.
The newly-crowned World Cross Country champion, Agnes Jebet Ngetich, and the bronze medallist, Daniel Simiu Ebenyo, are set to defend their titles at the Sirikwa Classic Cross Country on February 14.
This annual World Cross Country Gold Tour event, which is set to take place at Lobo village in Eldoret, Uasin Gishu County, will mark its fifth anniversary this year.
Title sponsor Absa Bank has provided Sh8 million.
Ngetich, who secured victory at the World Cross Country Championships in Tallahassee, Florida, USA, on January 10, said that she enjoys competing in cross country as it has always helped to shape her season.
“If you remember, I started my season with the Sirikwa Classic last year, which helped me perform well throughout the year. The climax came about ten days ago when I won the world title in the US,” Ngetich said at the event’s launch at Lobo Village in Eldoret yesterday.
She added, “I love cross-country events. I have participated in these events from a young age. That’s where I met my coach, Ruth Bundotich.”
Ngetich said that her goal is to compete in one final cross-country event before heading into the track and field season, during which she will be preparing for various Diamond League races starting in April.
“I took a short break after the World Athletics Championships in the US. I’m glad it went well because I was aiming for the World Cross Country title,” said the 10 km world record holder.
Simiu, on the other hand, encouraged other athletes to participate in local competitions, which he said were important for shaping one’s career.
Legendary athlete Eliud Kipchoge, during the Absa Sirikwa Classic World Cross Country Tour Media Launch, held at Lobo Village in Kapseret, Eldoret City of Uasin Gishu County on January 20, 2026.
Simiu, who trains in Iten in the county of Elgeyo Marakwet under his coach Eric Kogo, said that he will be seeking a third title in the race after taking a short break.
“I will be competing in the race, and my goal is to win for the third time. This event has shaped who I am today. It is still early in the season, but after next month’s race, I will start preparing for the New York Half Marathon in March,” said Simiu.
Athletics Kenya President Jack Tuwei, who was present, said: “It is not easy to organise such a race because World Athletics must check, follow up and write a report. Kenya has done well so far.”
“We have been holding the event for the last four years. We have been able to do things right. The global body has been monitoring us every year, and I’m glad because the organisers have improved the standards each year,” he said.
He added that they have passed the first stage of bidding for the World Athletics Championships and are waiting for the second stage before the final results are announced in Budapest, Hungary, in September.
“The World Athletics Championships has never been held in Africa, but we have applied for the hosting rights, and we will wait for the results in September. This is the second time we have applied; we lost to Tokyo in the last championships,” said Tuwei.
The bid, which was submitted in September last year, is currently under review by World Athletics. Kenya is competing against other nations, including Ethiopia, the United Kingdom, Germany, Italy and India.
During the Sirikwa race, the winners of the elite races will each receive Sh760,000 (US$6,000), while the runners-up will receive Sh640,000 (US$5,000). Third-place winners will receive Sh512,000 (US$4,000).
Prize money will be awarded up to 15th position.
In the Under-20 races, winners will receive Sh160,000 (US$1,250), second-placed athletes will receive Sh128,000 (US$1,000), and third-placed athletes will receive Sh102,000 (US$800).
Athletes competing in the 2km loop will receive Sh256,000 (US$2,000) for first place. The runner-up will receive Sh192,000 (US$1,500), and the third-place winner will receive Sh128,000 (US$1,000).
These prizes will also trickle down to 10th place.
