Jebet picks Sirikwa as part of preps for busy season

For the first time since her fifth-place finish at the World Championships in March last year, World Record holder for the women’s 10km, Agnes Jebet, will be back for a cross-country race when she lines up for the Sirikwa Classic World Cross Country Tour.

Slated for Saturday, 22 February, the global competition is expected to attract top stars from Kenya and beyond as they begin their build-up for a busy 2025 season that includes the World Championships in Tokyo.

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In her last race in Belgrade, Jebet clocked 31:27, completing a top-five Kenyan sweep in a race won by Beatrice Chebet (31:05), Lilian Kasait (31:08) and Margaret Chelimo (31:09) completing the podium.

Emmaculate Anyango (31:24) placed fourth but her results from 3 February 2024 have since been disqualified as she serves a six-year ban, upgrading Jebet to fourth in Belgrade.

“This is a build-up for me as I look forward to the Grand Slam track and the Tokyo World Championships, where I want to double in the 5000m and 10000m,” she told Team Kenya.

Jebet is keen to keep her momentum from her dominant showing last year, where she grabbed headlines; her highlight came at the Valencia Ibercaja 10km race in January, where she clocked a world record of 28:46.

In October, she came close to dislodging Ethiopia’s Letesenbet Gidey as the fastest woman in the world half marathon when she clocked 1:02:52 at the Valencia half marathon to become the second-fastest woman in the world at 21km. 

“I am ready to push the limits. I believe there is more to come. I don’t want to stop at the 10 km world record. I am confident in my capabilities,” she added.

The fourth edition of the Kenyan leg of the global tour will be held at the Lobo Village in Eldoret. Athletes will compete for top honours in the senior men and women’s 10km, Under 20 men’s 8km, Under 20 women’s 6km, and kids’ athletics.

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