Fresh from smashing the Barcelona Half Marathon course record, Joyciline Jepkosgei is back in action this weekend as she leads a strong women’s line-up in this weekend’s Sirikwa Classic in Eldoret Jepkosgei blazed to a stunning 1:04:13 in Barcelona, slashing 16 seconds off her 1:04:29 mark from last year.
The 32-year-old led compatriot Gladys Chepkurui (1:06:25) and Ethiopia’s Meseret Gebre (1:08:19) to the podium.
Jepkosgei now shifts focus to the rugged terrain of the Sirikwa Classic, where she will face a high-calibre field led by World 10km record holder Agnes Ngetich, reigning New York Marathon champion Sheila Chepkirui, 2017 World Cross Country silver medallist Hellen Ekalale and 2024 Malaga Half Marathon winner Loice Chemnung.
Jepkosgei is eager to improve on her last cross-country outing at the nationals, where she finished in fourth place in 35:01.9.
In the men’s elite race, defending champion Daniel Ebenyo is gunning for successive victories after clinching last year’s title in 29:16.
He will be up against a stacked field, featuring former World Half Marathon record holder Kibiwott Kandie and rising star Samwel Chebolei, who stamped his authority at the Chepsaita Cross Country Championships in December.
Adding more depth to the field is 2022 World 10,000m silver medallist Stanley Waithaka and 2006 Commonwealth Games 5000m gold medallist Augustine Choge.
In the women’s 2km loop, world 10,000m record holder Beatrice Chebet will flex muscles with national 800m champion Lilian Odira and 2013 World 5000m silver medallist, Mercy Cherono. Olympic 800m champion Emmanuel Wanyonyi headline the men’s race alongside 2020 Olympic 1500m silver medallist Timothy Cheruiyot.
Meet director Barnaba Korir, speaking on Hot 96, emphasised that the Sirikwa Classic is strictly invitational, with selections based on global and national rankings.
“This is an invitation-only event and invitations were extended to topranked athletes who have represented Kenya at the Olympics, Diamond League and World Championships,” Korir stated.
The selection further factored in performances from the six-leg Athletics Kenya Cross Country Series, which began in October.
“We picked the top 20 athletes from the AK Cross Country series which kicked off last year as well to ensure a highly competitive field,” he added.
Korir highlighted the importance of inviting world-class athletes to maintain the Sirikwa Classic’s World Athletics Gold Label status.
“This structured selection ensures only top-ranked runners compete, aligning with World Athletics regulations for gold-label races,” he noted.
He revealed that the list of international athletes would be released today.