The trio of Robert Kiprop, Lilian Kasait and Nicholas Kimeli will be the main attraction at the third edition of the Sirikwa Cross Country Championships set for February 3 at Lobo Village in Kapseret, Uasin Gishu county.
Kasait, the 2017 World Cross Country bronze medallist, will be targeting a share of the lucrative prizes as she makes her debut.
“I will try my best to be on the podium in a big race at home. We have always wanted to compete in these big events at home,” said Kasait, who called on fans to turn up in large numbers to cheer the athletes.
“We love being cheered on. I am calling on them (fans) to come and support us,” she said.
Kimeli returns for his second Lobo outing after 2022, where he finished second in 30:00 in a race won by Samwel Maswai ( 29:46 ).
He expects a friendly course following the elimination of mud patches and steeplechase hurdles along the course by the organisers.
“In 2022, I finished second but I 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.
Kiprop, the 2019 African Games 5000m champion, will use the event to prepare for the track season.
“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.
Athletics Kenya president Jack Tuwei promised another world-class event, based on the review of the first two. However, he said organising an international is a not walk in the park.
“This is not a small thing (to organise). We hope our spectators will come in numbers to cheer the athletes,” said Tuwei.
The organisers have promised to incorporate all athletes as they seek to build World Athletics’ confidence in Kenya’s capacity to host international events.
“Apart from the seniors, junior athletes are very important. We need to discover and rediscover more athletes,” he added.
Race director Barnaba Korir said the government has injected funds into the event, which has necessitated the increment of the prize purse.
“Being a Gold Label event, we have to ensure that we meet the standards. However, we have surpassed the requirements and we shall pay more (winners cash prizes) than expected,” said Korir.
He added that athletes from 17 nations have registered for the race.
“For us to keep our ‘Gold Label status’, we must have more than three countries represented. We have 17 countries already interested and we expect our competitor numbers to beat last year,” said Korir.
