Ebenyo gunning for a third Sirikwa Classic title

World cross-country bronze medallist Daniel Ebenyo will have to dig deep to beat a strong field that has John Korir, champion in both the Boston and Chicago marathons, if he is to retain his Sirikwa Classic crown for a third straight year in Eldoret on Saturday.

The two athletes have clashed twice at the Chicago Marathon, with Korir winning in 2024 when Ebenyo was fifth, then Ebenyo finished 13th last year when Korir failed to finish.

"For tomorrow, I know we will be more athletes. And I saw that even John Korir will be there. So, I think it's not easy. If Korir is there it's like a war. It's a rematch again. But I respect all participants, but I fear no one," declared Ebenyo.

After the Sirikwa Classic, which is the final World Athletics Cross Country Tour Gold meeting of the season, Korir will go back to the Boston Marathon to defend his title in April.

The two will be joined by Robert Kiprop who finished seventh in 2024 and fifth last year, along with Germany’s Hendrik Pfeiffer, George Manangoi, Emmanuel Kipsang, Brian Kipsang and Enos Chebet.

In the women’s contest, world cross-country champion Agnes Ngetich will renew rivalry in the 10km race with Uganda’s silver medallist Joy Cheptoyek who finished second in Tallahassee.

Kenya’s Maurine Chebor, who placed eighth at the World Cross Country Championships, will be another contender to watch, as will Mariam Lufti Njoki, who won another major cross-country race in Eldoret recently.

"We’ve prepared well with my coach and I think I'm going to run my race, no pressure. The race is always tough. It's not easy. I can win, someone can win, but I'm focusing on myself. Tallahassee was just opening of the season and it went well,” said defending champion Ngetich.

They will be joined by Caren Chebet, who featured alongside Ngetich and Chebor on Kenya’s team silver medal-winning squad in Tallahassee, plus Kenya’s Catherine Reline, Uganda’s African 3000m steeplechase gold medallist Loice Chekwemoi and her compatriot Martha Chemutai, who also raced in Tallahassee.

As well as the elite senior races, the meeting will feature an 8km U20 men’s race and a 6km U20 women’s race as well as a 2km loop event.