- Agnes Jebet Ngetich and Faith Kipyegon will be the main contenders for the 10km senior women’s title at the 2025 Sirikwa Classic Cross Country.
- Ngetich has described Kipyegon as the queen of athletics.
- Some of the other runners who have been confirmed for the event include Brillian Jepkorir, Cintia Chepngeno and Catherine Amanang’ole.
10km road race world record holder Agnes Jebet Ngetich has spoken highly of Faith Kipyegon ahead of the eagerly anticipated 2025 Sirikwa Classic Cross Country.
Ngetich and Kipyegon headline the event that is planned to take place at the Lobo Village in Eldoret City on Saturday, February 22.
The duo will face off in the 10km senior women’s category where the winner is expected to return home with an appetizing prize money of $6000 (approximately Ksh 777,000 as per the current exchange rate).
A role model
Speaking exclusively to SportPesa Blog, Ngetich stated that she is ready for the showdown and described Kipyegon as a charismatic figure.
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According to Ngetich, who recently celebrated her 24th birthday, running against Kipyegon gladdens her heart.
“Faith inspires me a lot. Competing with her in one race is something special. She is the queen,” she explained.
No pressure
Ngetich, who trains in Iten, further disclosed that she will approach Saturday’s race just like any other one.
“I don’t have any pressure. I will just run my race,” stated the athlete, who clocked an impressive time of 1:03:04 to clinch the 2024 Valencia Half Marathon champion.
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Ngetich ended by disclosing that she will switch her focus to the inaugural Grand Slam Track that is scheduled to kick off in a few weeks time.
Although Kipyegon heads to this year’s Sirikwa Class Cross Country as the pre-race favorite, Ngetich has all the needed ingredients to run away with the prestigious title.
The latter has shown in recent years that she has what it takes to succeed in long distance disciplines.
Spectacular field
Besides Kipyegon, Ngetich will also have to overcome several other big names in order to triumph in the World Athletics Cross Country Tour event.
Some of these stars include the reigning Athletics Kenya (AK) national cross country championships winner Brillian Jepkorir Kipkoech and the recently crowned 10K Valencia Ibercaja champion Hellen Ekalale.
Cintia Chepngeno, who won the African Cross Country crown on February 25, 2024 in Tunis, Tunisia, and world half marathon medalist Catherine Amanang’ole will also be in contention.
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