World Record holder Ngetich focused on Jamaica Grand Slam

Ten-kilometers world record holder Agnes Jebet Ngetich has confirmed that she will skip road races this season to focus on track, setting her sights on the World Championships in Tokyo this September.

The rising Kenyan star, who signed up for the 2025 Grand Slam Track competition, will open her track season at the Kingston Slam in Jamaica this April.

The 2023 World Cross Country bronze medalist is eager to build on her success and join Kenya’s elite at the World Championships.

“My biggest goal was to compete at the 2024 Paris Olympics, but I missed out due to injury.

“The rehabilitation process was tough, but I made a strong comeback, running the second-fastest time in history for the half marathon,” said Ngetich.

Ngetich, who trains at the Kamwosor Junior Training Camp in Elgeyo Marakwet County under Ikaika Athletics management, will compete in the 5000m and 3000m at the Grand Slam as part of her track season preparation. Her long-time coach and mentor, Ruth Bundotich, recalls spotting her talent early.

“I first met her during a school competition when she lost the 5000m title after falling while leading. I picked her up and gave her first aid and glucose.

“She cried when she opened her eyes, saying, ‘I want my number one back.

“That was when I knew she had a champion’s mentality,” Bundotich said.

Ngetich’s talent runs in the family. Her mother, Veronica Koech, was a 10,000m junior national champion in 1995, competing against the likes of former world champion Sally Barsosio.

“She comes from a lineage of champions. She is the future of Kenyan athletics,” affirmed Bundotich.

Coach Bundotich and the Ikaika Athletics team believe Ngetich must retain her speed for track rather than risk slowing down through road racing.

“Agnes is a master of all terrains, cross country, road races, even marathons, but we are focusing on track now. We don’t want her to lose her speed,” Bundotich explained.

Ngetich is currently under the guidance of Coach Julien Di Maria, alias Kip Evans, and manager Dafoe Safija at Ikaika Athletics.

The camp is determined to upgrade her sixth-place finish in the 5000m at the Budapest 2023 World Championships to a world title in Tokyo.

The 24-year-old set a world record in the 10km in 2024, clocking 28:46 at the Valencia Ibercaja 10km race in Spain.

She was dominant at the 2025 Sirikwa Classic World Cross Country Tour in Eldoret, winning the 10km senior women's title where she clocked 32:42 ahead of African 10,000m champion Janeth Chepngetich (33:52) and Miriam Chebet (34:09).

Now, her sights are set on track dominance in 2025.