Nearly 20 foreign athletes will join hundreds of competitors in this Saturday’s Sirikwa Classic World Cross Country Tour at Lobo Village in Eldoret.
According to the start list released on Monday, athletes from neighboring Eastern African countries such as Uganda, Tanzania, and Ethiopia will compete, alongside participants from far-flung nations like Germany, Ukraine, and Poland.
Among the standout foreign athletes is Uganda’s Loice Chekwemoi, who made a big impression last December by winning the second edition of the Great Chepsaita Cross Country in Uasin Gishu.
She will race in the senior women’s category, where she will face off against a strong Kenyan lineup, including world 10km record holder Agnes Jebet.
The senior men’s race will see the largest foreign contingent, with 12 international athletes, while the women’s category will feature seven foreigners.
In the Under-20 men’s 8km event, Uganda’s Abraham Cherotich will challenge local talent.
This Saturday marks the fourth edition of the World Cross Country Tour Gold Label competition, which first took place at the same venue in 2022.
The inaugural event was named the Agnes Tirop Memorial to honor the 2016 World Cross Country champion, who tragically passed away earlier that year.
As in previous years, the event will kick off with a children’s athletics competition, featuring primary school students from local schools.
Meet director Barnaba Korir emphasized that this is part of the event’s mission to nurture young talent and inspire them to reach for greater heights in their athletic pursuits.
“We’re collaborating with several primary schools to host the kids’ athletics competition, providing a platform to inspire the youth and help them develop their talents,” said Korir.
The competition is expected to attract several high-profile dignitaries, including Sports Cabinet Secretary Salim Mvurya, Principal Secretary Peter Tum, Uasin Gishu Governor Jonathan Bii, and Athletics Kenya (AK) President Lt Gen (Rtd) Jack Tuwei.
