Faith Kipyegon reveals significance of enrolling for Sirikwa Classic ahead of packed season

Faith Kipyegon is no stranger to success.

The three-time 1,500m Olympic champion and multiple world record holder had a sensational 2024 season. However, before her record-breaking season, Kipyegon also enjoyed a glorious 2023.

She shattered three world records in three different events in under 50 days. The highlight of her historic streak came when she obliterated the one-mile world record at the Monaco Diamond League, clocking an astonishing 4:07.64.

That was the year she began her season with the Sirikwa Classic World Cross Country Tour Gold.

She hopes that a strong performance in the race slated for Saturday 22 February at the Lobo Village in Eldoret will set the tone for another memorable year.

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"My 2023 season was beautiful. I started it with Sirikwa Classic, and I had a great year. I hope for the best this time and, hopefully, a strong finish in the 2025 season finale," Kipyegon remarked.

In 2023, the queen of track attempted the 5,000m during the World Championships in Budapest. Her efforts paid off when she won silver during the Paris 2024 Olympics.

She will be hoping to run longer distances this year. For instance, she will do 10,000m for the Sirikwa Classic.

Speaking on the transition, Kipyegon noted that it was no small feat. She noted that it was difficult to maintain both endurance and speed, but cross country will play a great role in achieving this balance.

"It is not easy, and that is why I compete in cross country. When the race changed from 8km to 10km, I was a little afraid, but it was essential for my buildup. You can balance both endurance and speed.”

She continued: "Nothing changes; I will do more training to be ready for the long distances. At the moment, I am still doing these events.”

However, she hinted at the possibility of taking on the 10,000m, emphasizing that endurance is key to competing at the highest level.

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"It is tough—running the 1500m, 5000m, and maybe tomorrow the 10,000m—but I am looking for endurance. I see it as the way to go. You never know; this might be the year to switch to 10k."

As she prepares for Sirikwa, Kipyegon also took a moment to reflect on the legacy of the late Agnes Tirop, a former world cross-country champion whose tragic death in 2021 left a void in the athletics world.

"She was a great runner; she defined cross country. It is still fresh in our minds, and we cannot forget about her. When these cross-country events happen, we pay tribute to her. But we also have Tirop’s Angels running, and she is forever in our hearts," she mourned.

Beyond her ambitions, Kipyegon is also keen on nurturing young talent. While elite athletes like herself have limited time to train upcoming stars due to their rigorous schedules, Kipyegon takes any minute she has off to motivate upcoming athletes.

"We are still elite athletes, so we cannot do more training with young talents because we are also preparing for our races. But we support them in other ways," she concluded.

It is now a matter of wait-and-see to see if she will reclaim the Sirikwa Classic title she last won in 2023.