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T. NashipaeStar-studded field awaits in Sirikwa Classic World Cross Country tour
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Reading Time: 3min | Wed. 31.01.24. | 21:02
The women's category is even more competitive with defending champion Faith Kipyegon returning to the course that set her up for an exciting 2023 year
Daniel Ebenyo, Sebastian Sawe, Robert Kiprop, Nicholas Kimeli, and Reynold Cheruiyot are among the notable names lining up for the upcoming Sirikwa Classic World Cross Country gold tour slated for the Lobo Village in Eldoret on Saturday 3 February.
Ebenyo, who started the year on a high winning the Campaccio International Cross-Country race held in San Giorgio Legnano, Italy on January 6, clocking 26:19, before bagging gold in his debut National Police Cross Country Championship will be looking to continue with his strong start to the year.
He will be up against Sawe who also started his year on the right footing. Sawe won the Boclassic race in Bolzano, Italy on New Year's Eve. He has since been training hard to win any competition that will come his way, including the Sirikwa Classic.
Also, on the list is Kiprop who is looking to register best results this year. Kiprop will be keen to better his third-place finish in the National Police Service Championships where he ran in 30:43:06.
“I want to ensure that I perform well at home ahead of the African Games. I have always wanted to defend my continental title. That journey starts here,” he said.
Reigning World U20 1500m champion Reynold Cheruiyot will be seeking to impress when he takes to the lane. The youngster will be bolstered by the recent ratification of the World U20 mile record in November 2023 where he improved it by more than a second.
Kimeli returns for his second Lobo outing after 2022, where he finished second in 30:00 in a race won by Samwell Maswai (29:46).
The Sirikwa Classic Marathon is here!! This Friday 2nd and Saturday 3rd Get your Family and Friends and Let's meet at Lobo Village in Eldoret for an Epic Run pic.twitter.com/mn0MkwVUXl
— Radio Citizen (@RadioCitizenFM) January 31, 2024
He expects a friendly course following the organizers' elimination of mud patches and steeplechase hurdles along the course.
“In 2022, I finished second but hope to win (the race) this time. I have been training to ensure I compete successfully at Sirikwa, which is part of my build-up for the World Cross Country Championships,” said Kimeli.
Reuben Longosiwa, Raymond Kipkoech, Paul Machoka, Patrick Kipkurui, Peter Mwaniki, and Richard Kimunyan are all on the entry list.
The women's category is even more competitive with defending champion Faith Kipyegon returning to the course that set her up for an exciting 2023 year.
Kipyegon started 2023 determined to win all there is to be won. With an eye on the bigger picture, she achieved her aim great feats, breaking not just one world record, but three, and adding two more world titles to her haul.
After running 3:49.11 in Florence on 2 June to take almost a second off the previous world 1500m record, Kipyegon went on to break the world 5000m record and the world mile record before winning 1500m and 5000m gold medals at the World Athletics Championships Budapest 23. Most recently, during the Jamhuri day celebrations, she was feted with the Elder of the Order of the Golden Heart; the highest award in Kenya by President William Ruto.
She will be up against her main rival Beatrice Chebet. Chebet is fresh from winning the Kenya Police Service Cross Country Championships held on January 19. She will be looking to extend her fine run.
The World Cross Country Champion will however tread carefully as she will be up against seasoned Vivian Cheruiyot. Cheruiyot who made a comeback during the National Police Service Cross Country Championships will head to the race like an injured lion. She finished eighth and will be keen to better her performance as she aims to return to competitive running.
Another notable name in the competition is Catherine Reline who will be going for her second win of the year following consecutive triumphs in the North Rift region cross-country championships as well as the 33rd edition of the Discovery Kenya Cross Country Championships.
Other ladies on the entry list include Ednah Jebitok, Margret Chelimo, Caren Chebet, Betty Kipkore, Betty Jepkemei, Fancy Cherono, Jacinda Paul, and Rose Chelimo among others.
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