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T. NashipaeMajor changes as 2024 Sirikwa Classic World Cross Country Tour is launched in Eldoret
Reading Time: 3min | Wed. 24.01.24. | 20:58
This year's edition also features a people with disabilities category, as well as community participation that will see elderly people from 46 to over 60 years compete
The Sirikwa World Cross Country Tour gold meeting returns to the scenic Lobo Village on Saturday, 3 February, bringing top athletes together for spectacular head-to-head battles.
Kenyan heavyweights are gearing up to compete for titles against opponents from Great Britain, Poland, Ethiopia, Uganda, and Tanzania among other countries at the venue in Kapseret, between Eldoret Town and the Eldoret International Airport.
The official launch was done on Wednesday, 24 January at the Lobo Village.
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The launch was attended by renowned athletes including World Athletics Road Running Championship bronze medalist Nicholas Kimeli, trailblazing cross country champion Emmaculate Anyango, 2019 African Games 5000m champion Robert Kiprop and Susan Chemelil among others.
What makes this year's edition even more spectacular is the series of events lined up.
The main event will be curtain raised by the kids category.
This year's edition also features a people with disabilities category, as well as community participation that will see elderly people from 46 to over 60 years compete.
Speaking during the launch, Uasin Gishu County governor Jonathan Chelilin Bii welcomed all the competitors to the athletics-rich region, noting that he was glad that the event was making its third appearance in the county.
The county boss further lauded the organizers for maintaining the tempo and ensuring that the race is competed annually. He insisted on the need to run clean.
Also in attendance was Ibrahim Hussein, who was the first Kenyan to win the New York City marathon.
Hussein observed that cross-country has changed in the recent past. He noted that they were working on creating a spectacular experience for fans and athletes alike.
"Cross-country has evolved. In the past, it was similar to East Africa's running which used to go through Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda. But things changed. It has evolved now and is done in a loop. You must have all the challenges. This will be a two-kilometer loop," he noted.
According to Athletics Kenya President Jackson Tuwei, the event's planning was successful because the majority of the organizers were former athletes and athletics tacticians who understood the requirements for hosting world-class events.
"Cross Country competitions are very close to us. Last year, the team that was selected through the national cross country championships in Ruiru and when they went to Bathurst, Australia, they came back with the overall title. The competition is an excellent preparation for the track and field competition," Tuwei offered.
The staging of the second edition of the World Cross Country Tour, according to Event Chief Executive Officer Barnaba Korir, was proof that Kenya is ready to host major global competitions.
Emphasizing the importance of the event, Korir gave an example of two-time World 1500m champion Faith Kipyegon who won the 2023 edition and went on to break major world records.
Kipyegon started 2023 determined to win all there is to be won.
With an eye on the bigger picture, she achieved her aim of great feats, breaking not just one world record, but three, and adding two more world titles to her haul.
Positions 1-20 in each category will be awarded.
Sirikwa Classic World Cross Country Prize money
Podium finishers in different categories:
5-7 years - Ksh77,000
8-10 years - Ksh 224,000
11-13 years - Ksh 346,000
Under 18 - Ksh1,248,000 (to be paid in dollars)
Under 20 - Ksh2,128,000
Senior men and women - Ksh9,216,000
46-59 years - Ksh390,000
60 years and above - Ksh510,000
People With Disabilities - Ksh400,000
