Three-time Olympic 1500m champion Faith Kipyegon has entered the already star-studded women’s 10km race at Saturday’s Sirikwa Classic Cross Country Tour.
Meet director Barnaba Korir confirmed Kipyegon’s entry on Wednesday, calling it a major boost for the fourth edition of the World Athletics Gold Label event.
“I am excited to announce that three-time Olympic champion Faith Kipyegon will compete at the fourth edition of the Sirikwa Classic World Athletics Cross Country Tour,” he noted.
Kipyegon, a fourtime world champion, will look to reclaim the title she won in 2023, where she clocked 33:50. She led Jackline Chepkoech (34:52) and Zenah Jemutai (35:08) to the podium.
The 31-year-old is using the race as her buildup for the track season having already confirmed her participation in the 1000m race at the Xiamen Diamond League on April 26.
Kipyegon is no stranger to cross country, having clinched junior titles at the 2011 World Cross Country Championships in Spain (18:53) and the 2013 edition in Poland (17:51).
However, her path to victory is far from assured with fierce competition from world-class rivals, including women’s marathon world record holder Ruth Chepng’etich and 10km world record holder Agnes Ng’etich.
Ng’etich, a dominant force in road races and cross country, is keen to make a statement after bagging bronze at the 2023 World Cross Country Championships in Bathurst, Australia, where she clocked 34:00.
She won the 2024 national cross country title in 31:05 at the Prisons Staff Training College in Ruiru. In 2022, Ng’etich finished 17th (35:38) at the Sirikwa Classic, then known as the Memorial Agnes Tirop Cross Country Classic.
Meanwhile, Chepng’etich, the 2023 national cross country champion (32:57), will use the race as a tune-up ahead of the London Marathon on April 27.
She finished sixth at the 2022 national cross country in Eldoret, crossing the line in 34:40. Adding depth to the field are 2024 New York Marathon champion Sheila Chepkirui, 2021 London Marathon champion Joyciline Jepkosgei, Loice Chemnung, Hellen Ekalale, Catherine Reline and Visiline Jepkesho.
Korir said over 14 nations will be represented. “This promises to be an exhilarating event as top-tier athletes showcase their talents as over 14 nations take part,” he added.
Regional rivals Ethiopia, Uganda and Tanzania are some of the nations. Korir said Athletics Kenya is working to deliver a worldclass and expressed gratitude to sponsors ABSA.
“We encourage spectators to join us and witness this thrilling showcase of athletic excellence,” he said.
Meanwhile, the men’s U20 8km race is shaping up to be a fierce battle, with red-hot Kelvin Kiprop set to clash with World U20 5000m champion Andrew Alamisi.
Kiprop has been in superb form in the cross country season, clinching the national U20 title in Eldoret and the Chepsaita Cross Country junior title in December.
The 17-year-old won the Iten and Olkalou legs
of the Ak cross-country series.
