The lush green turf of Lobo Village in Eldoret is set to become a gladiator arena on Valentine's Day. World Cross Country champion Agnes Ng’etich and the indomitable Daniel Ebenyo have confirmed they will headline the fifth edition of the Sirikwa Classic Cross Country Tour, promising a spectacle of speed, grit, and Kenyan dominance.

Fresh from conquering the world in Tallahassee, Florida, where Ng’etich stormed to her maiden global title and Ebenyo grabbed a gritty bronze, the duo is returning home to defend their turf. This is not just a race; it is a coronation. Ebenyo, in particular, is chasing history—a "hat-trick" of Sirikwa titles that would cement his legacy as the king of the mud.

Homecoming Heroes

For the fans in Uasin Gishu, "The City of Champions," seeing these global icons up close is a spiritual experience. Ng’etich’s rise has been meteoric. Her 31:28 victory in Florida was a masterclass in front-running, destroying a field of Ethiopians and Ugandans. Now, she brings that lethal form to the high altitude of Eldoret.

• Ebenyo's Fortress: Daniel Ebenyo has turned Lobo Village into his personal fortress. Having won in 2024 and 2025, he knows every blade of grass on this course. [...](asc_slot://start-slot-9)"It prepared me for the world," he says. His rivals should take note: he runs harder on home soil.
• The Next Generation: The event isn't just for the elites. With categories for kids as young as five, Sirikwa is the incubator for the next Faith Kipyegon or Eliud Kipchoge.

Running for Pride

The Sirikwa Classic has rapidly grown into a Gold Level event on the World Athletics tour, putting Eldoret firmly on the global map alongside iconic venues like Seville and Hannut. When the gun goes off on February 14, it won't just be about the prize money (though in Kenyan Shillings, it’s a fortune). It will be about pride. Ng’etich and Ebenyo are not just running against the clock; they are running for the heritage of a nation that was born to run.