Agnes Ngetich wins at the Sirikwa Cross Country Classic
In a race that more than lived up to the hype, Agnes Ngetich produced a convincing victory at the Sirikwa Classic, while Daniel Ebenyo took the men’s title at the World Athletics Cross Country Tour Gold meeting at the Lobo Village in Eldoret on Saturday (22).
Despite the warm, sunny and windy conditions and several obstacles on the course, Ngetich completed the 10km race in 32:42, more than a minute ahead of her next competitor.
The senior women’s race had been billed as a showdown between three-time Olympic 1500m champion Faith Kipyegon and Ngetich, the world record-holder over 10km on the roads.
Ngetich made an early break and opened up a gap of 10 seconds on Kipyegon on the first lap. That grew to 20 seconds by the end of the second loop and 42 seconds after the third. Ngetich’s relentless pace eventually proved too much for Kipyegon, who withdrew before the end.
Unsurprisingly for a 10km cross-country race, it favoured the longer distance specialists. African 10,000m champion Janeth Chepngetich finished second in 33:52 ahead of Miriam Chebet, who ran 34:09.
In the men’s race, Ebenyo reproduced the form he showed when winning at the Kenyan Cross Country Championships a couple of weeks ago. In a well-calculated effort, the world 10,000m silver medallist waited until the final three kilometres to pull ahead of the leading pack.
The world half marathon silver medallist crossed the finish line in 29:57 ahead of Gideon Ronoh (30:07) and Nicholas Kipkorir (30:15).
Newly crowned national champion Purity Chepkwony repeated another great run in the senior women’s 2km, winning in 6:46 ahead of African 800m silver medallist Lilian Odira (6:47) and Daisilah Bor (6:48).
Reynold Cheruiyot, the 2022 world U20 1500m champion, won the senior men’s 2km race in 6:01 ahead of Phanuel Kipkosgei Koech (6:02) and Frankline Kimutai Kosgei (6:04).
“My body is responding well to training,” said Cheruiyot. “So far, I am happy. From here, I will do one weekend meet and then focus on the Kipkeino Classic.”
Cynthia Chepkurui and Kelvin Kiprop Biwott won the hotly contested U20 titles.
Justin Lagat for World Athletics
