Uganda’s Loice Chekwemoi and Indian Harshad Mahatare will lead top foreign athletes who are set to compete at the 4th edition of Sirikwa Classic Cross Country set for Saturday February 22nd 2025 at the Lobo Village in Eldoret, Uasin Gishu County.
According to the start list released by Athletics Kenya, there will be 1016 athletes; 2km loop men attracting 114, women 115. The 10km senior men and women has 282 and 259 respectively while the under 20 men has 142 and 6km women has 104.
After shocking Kenyans by winning the Great Chepsaita Cross country title on December 7th 2024, Chekwemoi will be returning to test her ability with hosts come Saturday in a highly anticipated race in the 10km senior women.
Chekwemoi, who will be accompanied by her compatriot Martha Chemutai won the race in 34:32 ahead of Ethiopian Mekides Shimeles Molla (35:57) and a Kenyan Celestine Biwott completed the podium at 36:43 with Daisilah Jerono also from Kenya coming 4th at 36:53.
In women, Chekwemoi will be up against Ukrainian pair of Viktoriia Kaliuzhna and Olga Nyzhnyk.
Two Ethiopians Yenenesh Shimket and Asmarech Anley will be in action as well as Czech Republic’s Silvie Valova.
In the men’s 10km senior race, Indian pair of Harshad Mahatare and Abishek Pal will be in action with Tanzanian pair of John Wele and Francis Damasi.
There are also two Germany internationals: Nic Ihlow and Mykola Nyzhyk, Uganda’s pair of Keneth Kiprop and Martin Kiprotich Magengo.
Czech Republic’s Martin Zajic will be a lone ranger on the course while Poland internationals Krystian Zalewski will be accompanied by his compatriot Krystian.