The excitement of the 4th fourth Absa Sirikwa Classic Cross Country Championships is still palpable, days after the iconic meet was held at the scenic Lobo Village in Eldoret, unleashing yet another thrilling spectacle of endurance, strategy, and talent.
Over the years, this premier cross-country meeting has fast evolved into a world-class competition, drawing elite and upcoming runners alike from across the globe.
What started off as a World Athletics bronze (third-tier) level competition four years ago has morphed fast into a golden fixture on the annual World Athletics calendar.
The championship attained silver status when it was renamed “The Agnes Tirop Cross Country Classic” in honor of the late Kenyan distance running icon.
Now, the fixture has cemented itself as the Sirikwa Classic Cross Country Championship, a Gold Label race meet that continues to elevate the sport while paying homage to Kenya’s rich distance-running heritage.
“We started with Bronze, then moved to Silver. Due to excellent organization, we were upgraded to Gold Label. It was the first Gold Label cross country event in Africa, and we are proud to have been granted the honor of hosting such a prestigious cross-country event.
“I know Kenya is proud, and Lobo Village is greatly honored to be the venue,” says Ibrahim Kipkemboi Hussein, Kenya’s trailblazing marathon legend who is the host and head of the technical team at the meet.
Hussein adds that apart from the Chepsaita championship, which received its Gold Label status last year, the Sirikwa Classic stands out as the oldest event in Kenya to attain such recognition.
Gallery – PHOTOS / PETER NJOROGE
A Course Fit for Champions
The lush, undulating terrain of Lobo Village provided the perfect stage for exhilarating races on February 22, pushing athletes to their limits in both resilience and strength.
With each edition, organizers have introduced significant improvements, making the course both more challenging and more appealing to competitors.
One of the standout upgrades this year was the installation of a permanent metal starting structure, ensuring a standardized take-off point for all races.
This addition not only brought a professional touch to the event but also reinforced the commitment to enhancing race conditions for athletes.
Another groundbreaking feature was the introduction of a mist zone, offering much-needed relief for runners battling the scorching sun and dust-laden trails.
This innovation—unprecedented in Kenyan cross-country history—highlighted the organizers’ dedication to athlete welfare, providing a cooling effect mid-race to help maintain optimal performance.
“We installed a mist zone because February temperatures in Kenya tend to be high. We wanted the athletes to run comfortably despite the usual cross-country challenges like mounds, altitude, and the heat. To ease the course’s toughness, we got creative and introduced a water shower to help them,” explained Hussein.
World Athletics Oversight and Global Standards
The fourth edition of the Absa Sirikwa Classic Cross Country Championship marked a significant milestone with the presence of World Athletics technical delegate, Thomas Ndadziila, a clear testament to the event’s growing prestige.
Ndadziila, from Botswana, was appointed to oversee this year’s Sirikwa Classic Cross Country Championship, bringing extensive experience honed through rigorous training.
He graduated from the Nairobi-based African Athletics Development Centre (AADC) where he excelled in the International Technical Officials (ITO) program.
The AADC, directed by Hussein, has been instrumental in developing top-tier athletics officials across the continent.
During the competition, Ndadziila ensured that all aspects of the event adhered to international standards, reinforcing its status as a world-class fixture on the cross-country calendar.
The involvement of global athletics officials highlighted Kenya’s continued dominance in long-distance running, with Lobo Village further cementing its reputation as a premier hub for elite competition.
Barnaba Korir, the event’s CEO and Athletics Kenya Youth Development Director praised the efforts of technical officials, media coverage, and the enthusiastic turnout of spectators.
He also commended the Local Organizing Committee (LOC) for its dedication.
“The feedback after the event has been overwhelmingly positive. I haven’t heard any negative comments, which is something we are proud of as a federation,” said Korir, adding that the local community has fully embraced the event as their own.
Celebrating Talent: Heartbeat of Future Champions.
Recognizing that Kids’ Athletics is central to the vision of both World Athletics and Athletics Kenya, the event provided a platform for young runners to experience the thrill of competitive racing.
Children as young as five took to the course, guided by experienced coaches and seasoned athletes, instilling the values of discipline, perseverance, and sportsmanship from an early age.
The kids’ races were nothing short of inspiring, with enthusiastic parents and coaches cheering from the sidelines.
These junior events not only served as a platform for talent identification but also acted as a motivational tool for the next generation of Kenyan and global champions.
It was evident that the event’s impact extended beyond elite competition, fostering a culture of early engagement in athletics and ensuring a continuous pipeline of future stars.
“I was emotional about the whole thing. Over the last few years, we have established training camps across the country to give children who want to participate a chance. We ensure that resources from the government are distributed transparently and equitably so that everyone gets an opportunity,” said Korir.
According to Korir, the initiative has generated immense interest within the community, with parents bringing their children to participate in local races.
“The kid who finished the race was emotional. It was spontaneous—I went to the finish line and saw the child running towards me. I don’t even know where he came from, but that 500m race and finish will remain with him for years,” said Korir, adding that moments like these help children develop a lasting connection to the sport.
Clash of Champions: Kipyegon vs Ng’etich
Korir also reflected on the highly anticipated showdown between Faith Kipyegon, the reigning 1,500 metres world record holder and double Olympic champion, and Agnes Jebet Ng’etich, the 10-kilometres road race world record holder.
Kipyegon dropped out on the penultimate lap, allowing Ng’etich—who had dominated the race from the start—to claim victory.
“Faith Kipyegon was running her first-ever 10km in cross country, and the weather was extremely hot—what do you expect? As for Agnes Ng’etich, she is preparing for a half marathon, so she has to run her race. I invited Faith to participate to help draw the crowd, and I’m grateful she accepted. She wasn’t in the race to win but joined as a courtesy to our request. The presence of athletes like Eliud Kipchoge also had a positive impact,” Korir reacted.
Legacy of Agnes Tirop Lives On
Though the event has rebranded as the Sirikwa Classic Cross Country, its deep-rooted tribute to the late Agnes Tirop remains unwavering. Tirop, a world-class runner who tragically lost her life in 2021 from a brutal domestic attack, was a symbol of resilience and excellence.
The race continues to honor her memory, inspiring young girls and women to pursue their dreams in athletics despite the challenges they may face.
From its modest beginnings as a bronze-label race to its current gold-standard status, the Sirikwa Classic Cross Country Championship has grown into a premier event that embodies world-class competition while preserving the rich traditions of Kenyan distance running.
With each edition, new elements are introduced to enhance the experience for both athletes and spectators.
The fourth edition was a testament to this continuous evolution, raising the bar even higher for future competitions.
As the sun set over the rolling hills of Lobo Village, one thing remained clear—the Absa Sirikwa Classic Cross Country is more than just a race.
It is a celebration of Kenya’s enduring legacy in long-distance running.
With ongoing improvements and global recognition, its reputation is set to soar even higher.
Leading results from the fourth Absa Sirikwa Cross Country Championships at the Lobo Village in Eldoret on February 22, 2025:
10km senior men:
- Ebenyo Simiu Daniel – 29 minutes and 57 seconds;
- Ronoh Kipkertich Gideon – 30:07
- Kipkorir Nicholas – 30:15
- Kiprotich Kibet Titus – 30:20
- Kiprop Koech Robert – 30:22
- Langat Benard – 30:22
- Tuitoek Kebenei Peter – 30:30
- Kipkorir Kogei Nickson – 30:40
- Kiprotich Magengo Martin – 30:43
- Rotich Kiplangat Kelvin – 30:43
10km senor women
- Jebet Ngetich Agnes – 32:42
- Chepngetich Janeth – 33:52
- Chebet Miriam – 34:09
- Chepngeno Cintia – 34:20
- Chebet Caren – 34:39
- Ghati Chacha Jane – 34:54
- Ekalale Hellen – 34:57
- Njeri Mwangi Rebecca – 35:22
- Jepkoech Chepkemoi Janet – 35:29
- Jepkorir Chebii Lilian – 35:37
6km junior women:
- Chepkurui Cynthia – 20:37
- Chepkemoi Joyline – 20:40
- Chepkemoi Diana – 20:50
- Cherono Lonah – 20:59
- Cherop Risper – 21:17
- Jelimo Mercy – 21:18
- Cheruto Nowel – 21:22
- Chepkoech Florence – 21:22
- Chepkwemoi Dorcus – 21:24
- Chepteek Winny – 21:25
8km junior men:
- Kiprop Biwott Kevin – 24:24
- Kibet Chebet Frankline – 24:27
- Kimorwo Festus – 24:27
- Kiprono Kipkorir Emmanuel – 24:27
- Kipngeno Kirui Nehemiah – 24:44
- Kibiwott Antony – 24:51
- Kiboino Charles – 24:54
- Cherotich Abraham – 24:59
- Kiptoo Brian – 25:01
- Kiptoo Kiprop Andrew – 25:06
2km loop women:
- Chepkirui Chepkwony Purity – 6:46
- Atieno Odira Lilian – 6:47
- Jerono Bor Daisilah – 6:48
- Chebet Faith – 6:49
- Jerop Korir Naomi – 6:54
- Jepkemei Nanc – 6:55
- Kemunto Judy – 7:05
- Mbithe Nzisa Winfred – 7:08
- Jepkosgei Biwot Celestine – 7:11
- Biwot Jepkogei Joyce – 7:20
2km loop men:
- Kipkorir Cheruiyot Reynold – 6:01
- Kipkosgei Koech Phanuel – 6:02
- Kimutai Kosgei Frankline – 6:04
- Sampao Kireu Amason – 6:05
- Kipkirui Mutai Victor – 6:06
- Kipngetich Alex Ngeno – 6:08
- Serem Amos – 6:09
- Kiprono Rotich Patrick – 6:10
- Kiprono Kiplagat Edwin – 6:12
- Kipkoech Byegon Justice – 6:12
Robert Kibet is a freelance journalist based in Nairobi, Kenya. He previously worked as a correspondent for Milele FM. His feature stories on development, the climate crisis, the environment, conflict, human rights, food security, and education have been published in The Guardian UK, Reuters, IPS, DW, The New Humanitarian, and Equal Times.
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