World Record holder Agnes Jebet opens track season in Jamaica
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Reading Time: 3min | Fri. 04.04.25. | 10:40
Created by the former 200m/400m world record holder, Michael Johnson, the new league will see athletes, including multiple Olympic gold medalists, compete in the events in which they made their names. However, perhaps the most intriguing aspect of the new format is that many of the competitors will also step outside of their comfort zones and race for glory over distances in which they have rarely-if ever-competed before
The eagerly awaited Grand Slam Track is here, and the first event serves as a season opener on track for several Kenyan runners, with Agnes Jebet, who has set her sights on the World Championships this year, lighting up the 3000m and 5000m.
The World 10km record holder opened her season with a dominant show at the 2025 Sirikwa Classic World Cross Country Tour in Eldoret, winning the 10km senior title where she clocked 32:42 ahead of African 10,000m champion Janeth Chepngetich (33:52) and Miriam Chebet (34:09).
As she heads to Kingston, Jamaica, Jebet hopes to carry her cross-country form, where she took down a field that included another multiple World Record holder, Faith Kipyegon, to the series.
“Several busy days gone... Full racing mode from tomorrow to continue to tell the story of faith, patience, hard work, and resilience. Thank you, Grand Slam Track, for the opportunity, thank you to everyone in my corner. (sic),” she wrote on her social media platforms ahead of the race.
Jebet, the first woman to run a 10km in under 29 minutes when she shed 28 seconds from the previous world record to register an incredible time of 28:46, barely months after breaking the women-only world 10km record with a 29:24 in September 2023, is using the Grand Slam as part of her preparations for the Tokyo 2025 World Championships.
“Last year, my biggest goal was to compete at the 2024 Paris Olympics, but I missed out due to injury. The rehabilitation process was tough, but I made a strong comeback, running the second-fastest time in history for the half marathon,” said Ngetich in a past interview, adding that she is working on her track speed as she looks to impress in Tokyo later in the year.
The Adidas athlete opens her track season on Friday with a 3000m run, joined in the race by her compatriot Hellen Ekalale Lobun, who had a 10km debut to remember as she took this year’s Valencia Ibercaja title in an incredible time of 29:30 in early January.
She will be back in action on Sunday against the same field as she chases victory in the 12.5 lap race.
Women's 5000/ 3000m field
1 Tsigie GEBRESELAMA - ETH - On
2 Elise CRANNY - USA - Nike
3 Whittni MORGAN - USA - Adidas
4 Agnes Jebet NGETICH - KEN - Adidas
5 Nozomi TANAKA - JPN - New Balance
6 Ejgayehu TAYE - ETH - Nike
7 Hellen Ekalale LOBUN - KEN - Adidas
8 Emily INFELD - USA - Brooks
Following Agnes Jebet's impressive victory at the @sirikwaclassic that was held in 22nd February, where she locked an outstanding time of 32:42, 10Km world record holder Agnes Jebet Ngetich is set to make her appearance at the @GrandSlamTrack competitions in Kingston.
— TeamKenya (@OlympicsKe) April 3, 2025
⌛4th -… pic.twitter.com/J03o8av5fN
