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Tag: Sirikwa Classic Cross Country Tour

  • Absa Sirikwa Classic World Cross Country Tour to be extended

    Absa Sirikwa Classic World Cross Country Tour to be extended

    The annual Absa Sirikwa Classic World Cross Country tour will be extended after the fifth edition, set for this Saturday at Lobo Village in Kapseret, Eldoret.

    The Sirikwa Classic, the only gold label race in Africa, which will be held on the 14th of this month, will be marking its 5th year since it was included in the World Athletics calendar in 2021.

    Speaking in an interview, the race director, Barnaba Korir, revealed advanced discussions in extending the contract with World Athletics upon the conclusion of the 5 years.

    Saturday’s race, which has attracted over 1900 athletes from both local and international areas, will feature the under-20 events (6 km women and 8 km men) and the 10 km senior men and women events.

    Reigning World Champion Agnes Jebet Ngetich and World bronze medalist Daniel Ebenyo Simiu will be defending their titles on Saturday.

  • Cheruiyot and Chepkurui win 2km loop at Absa Sirikwa X Country

    Cheruiyot and Chepkurui win 2km loop at Absa Sirikwa X Country

    Former World Under 20 champions Reynold Cheuiyot and Purity Chepkurui are the winners of   the 2 km loop at the 4th edition of the Absa Sirikwa Classic World Cross Country Tour, held today at the Lobo Village, Kapsaret, in Eldoret.

    Cheuiyot, who is also the one-mile world record holder in the under-20 category, cut the tape in 6 minutes and 1 second, followed by Phanuel Kosgei and Franklin Mutai, who won silver and bronze medals in 2:02 and 6:04 minutes, respectively.

    “I am responding well to training. So far I am happy. From here I will do one weekend meet and then focus on Kipkeino Classic.” said Cheruiyot

    Olympic 800m champion Emmanuel Wanyonyi, who was defending his last year’s title, failed to finish the race.

    Purity Chepkurui winning the 2km loop at Absa Sirikwa Classic Cross Country Tour in Lobo Village

    Chepkurui outsprinted 800m national champion Lillian Odira to finish first, clocking 6 minutes and 46 seconds, followed by Odira one second later, while Daisilah Jerono Bor completed the podium positions two seconds behind the winner.

    Double Olympic gold medalist Beatrice Chebet finished a distant 34th.

    Over 1,000 athletes from over 40 nations are competing in this year’s Sirikwa Classic World Cross Country Tour.

  • All roads lead to Eldoret for the Sirikwa Classic Cross Country on Saturday

    All roads lead to Eldoret for the Sirikwa Classic Cross Country on Saturday

    The Sirikwa Classic Cross Country Tour returns on Saturday, February 3rd, to Lobo Village, Kapseret, Eldoret in Uasin Gishu County.

    This year’s edition, which marks three years since Kenya was given the honor of hosting the gold-label cross-country tour, will be critical for Kenyan athletes.

    Kenyan competitors will compete for six spots in each race to represent the country in the Africa Cross Country Championships, which will be held later this month in Tunis, Tunisia.

    The day’s program will begin with Kids Athletics (8-16 years old) participating in distances ranging from 500m to 2km, followed by Masters (50-60 years old) running 1km.

    The men’s and women’s 2km relay will be the last local event before the four international events, which begin early in the afternoon with 6km under 20 women and 8km under 20 men.

    The program will conclude with senior women’s and men’s races, followed by an award ceremony and  the selection of Kenya’s squad for the Africa  Cross Country Championships.

    There are 596 competitors on the start list, with the 10km senior men receiving the most entrants (207), while the 10km senior women has attracted 151 athletes.

    The 6km and 8km under20 competitions included 122 and 116 women,respectively.

    Kenyan athletes that will compete will use the event to prepare for national cross country trials set  for 9th of next month at Ruiru Prisons Staff Training College.

    The total prize pool will be Ksh 15.2 million.

  • Over 500 athletes sign up for 3rd Sirikwa Classic Cross Country Tour

    Over 500 athletes sign up for 3rd Sirikwa Classic Cross Country Tour

    More than 500 athletes have already registered for the third edition of the Sirikwa Classic Cross Country Tour.

    This was announced by the organizers on Wednesday,who also hinted at more competitors registering for the event set for the 3rd of next month in Lobo Village, Kapseret, Uasin Gishu County.

    Uasin Gishu County Governor Jonathan Bii address during the official launch of this year’s Sirikwa Classic Cross Country Tour

    The race event director, Barnaba Koriri, hailed the support from the ministry of sports for this year’s event as well as other partners who are on board.

    “We are grateful to the Ministry of Sports and other sponsors who have supported us as we gear towards hosting a memorable event.” Korir said

    Sirikwa Classic Cross Country Tour, which is a gold-label event, will be the 13th series for the 2023–2024 season.

    Korir added that this year’s competition has attracted athletes from Uganda, Tanzania, Norway, Poland, Ethiopia,Japan, Belgium, Great Britain, and Germany.

    The prize kitty for this year’s championship has also been increased to Ksh 15.2 million.

    The event will kick off with the 6km under-20 women, followed by the 8km under-20 men.
    before paving the way for the 10km senior women race and winding up with the 10km senior men late afternoon.

    Other races lined up for the day include the kids race and the veterans race, which will curtaine raise the main four races.

    Many Kenyan athletes will use the event as preparation for the Africa cross-country trials and the World cross-country championships trials.