Ngetich to lead stellar cast at the 2025 Sirikwa Classic Cross Country

Kenya's Agnes Ngetich in a past race. She will compete in the 2025 Sirikwa Classic Cross Country Tour. [File] Agnes Jebet Ngetich, the 10km World Record holder will lead a super-fast cast at the fourth edition of Sirikwa Classic Cross Country Tour on February 22. Ngetich yesterday confirmed that she would be competing in the international event to be staged at the Lobo Village, on the outskirts of Eldoret City. She had participated in the inaugural edition (in 2022) when the race was known as Agnes Tirop Memorial World Cross Country Tour in honour of fallen star Agnes Tirop who was killed in 2021. Ngetich, who finished fifth at the 2024 World Cross Country Championships, said the event will motivate young athletes. The Sirikwa World Cross Country Tour will be the final X-C event this season, ushering in the track and field season. "I will be here to participate again after racing during the Agnes Tirop memorial edition," the 10km road running star said yesterday during the launch of the 2025 edition of Sirikwa World Cross Country Championships at the Lobo Village. Double Olympic champion Beatrice Chebet, who also graced the official launch of the cross country tour, said X-C was the perfect buildup for the track season. "I ran the first edition (Sirikwa Classic Cross Country Tour) and the environment was good. This is the City of Champions and it's a good place to be. Thank you for giving young and upcoming athletes. Some of them don't get the chance to take part in international races," Chebet said. Three-time Boston Marathon champion Ibrahim Hussein, a host of the event, said the course was ready for the Saturday February 22 contest. Hussein said he was honoured to host the event at the scenic village. "We are honoured. As a retired athlete I could be in the village and I'm in sports after retiring. Thank you for giving us the opportunity to host this event," the retired athlete said. He went on to say: "We started with a bang and we thought we had reached the limit but it has grown to a bigger show." A number of adjustments have been made to the course for the gold level event. For instance, the start will be 30m backwards from last year's position, a decision technical officials said was made to achieve a 100m stretch from starting line. There will be some showers aimed at cooling athletes during the hot afternoon races. A section of the course has been altered to get a call room, Hussein said during the launch. "The 2km is ready for the competition, only awaiting marking. It was dusty last year but lavish grass will make it more comfortable for spectators and VIPs this year," he added. The course was designed to place the finish line just across an eating area. "We urge our athletes to continue participating in athletics after retirement," he told athletics stars. "Paul Tergat and other athletes are among legends who continue contributing to the sport after retirement," he added. Athletics Kenya (AK) executive Barnaba Korir predicted that the event was going to be exciting. "It's one of the two gold level cross country events staged in Kenya. Another one is Chepsaita Cross Country," he said. Korir said a kids' run has been lined up to spice up the thriller. Also expected in Lobo are International athletes. "We have confirmation from international stars from different parts of the world. Agnes Jebet Ngetich has already confirmed participation," Korir said. AK president Jackson Tuwei used the launch to call for an end to malpractices in sport. He said doping, age cheating and gender-based violence were the major threats to the integrity of athletics. "We are concluding the cross country season with an international event. But it's a shame that as we promote events, we are slapped on the face by doping and gender-based violence. I urge the whole system in athletics to uphold respect," said Tuwei. He further said: "We are bidding for the 2029 World Championships in Nairobi and we can't display irresponsible behaviors. We are respected by the global community and we should respect ourselves by upholding integrity." National Olympic Committee of Kenya (NOC-K) president Paul Tergat said: "We had the discovery cross, national and Sirikwa. We can only ask for more opportunities for our athletes."

Ngetich to lead stellar cast at the 2025 Sirikwa Classic Cross Country

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