Anyango, Simiu win 2024 Sirikwa Classic World Cross Country Tour

Kenya's Emmaculate Anyango and Daniel Simiu Ebenyo produced dominant displays to bag the 2024 Sirikwa Classic World Cross Country Tour titles at the Lobo Village in Eldoret on Saturday, February 3.

Anyango was unmatchable from the start of the 10km senior women's category. She opened a wide gap in the final stages of the race and went on to clinch the coveted title in an unofficial time of 32:55.

The 23-year-old, who recently became the second woman to run a 10km road race in under 29 minutes at the 10K Ibercaja Valencia event held in Spain, was followed by Joyciline Jepkosgei and Catherine Reline.

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Jepkosgei, who is a former half marathon world record holder, crossed the finishing line in 33:10 while Reline clocked 33:18.

Cynthia Chepngeno and Glorious Jepkurui settled for fourth and fifth positions in the third edition of the World Athletics Gold label event.

In the men’s 10km senior category, debutant Daniel Ebenyo Simiu was crowned the champion after outpacing Ishmael Kipkurui in the closing stages of the race. The Kenya Police runner won the race in an unofficial time of 29:16.

Simiu who trains in Iten thanked God for the victory and promised to post more excellent results this season.

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“It has been God all through since the beginning of the year. God is doing great things in my life. I can’t complain. This is my first time appearing in Sirikwa and I am happy for the win. I am still going to do more because I know God has good things in store for me,” he commented. 

Kipkurui came in second in 29:18 with Langat completing the podium places after clocking 29:26. 

Kiplimo Naibei, Vincent Langat, and Jacob Krop registered fourth, fifth and sixth positions respectively.

10km senior category winners Simiu and Anyango were each rewarded with a cheque worth Ksh 960,000 while the second and third-place athletes pocketed Ksh 800,000 and Ksh 640,000 respectively.

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Elsewhere, highly-rated 800m runner Emmanuel Wanyonyi won the men's 2km loop race. The teenager was followed by Victor Kipkurui and Edwin Kiprono.

On the other hand, Purity Jepkirui won the women’s 2km loop category in 6:29.60 with Miriam Cherop and Evaline Chepkoech coming in second and third respectively.

2024 Sirikwa Classic World Cross Country Tour results 

10km senior women's category

Emmaculate Anyango - 32:55 

Joyciline Jepkosgei - 33:10

Catherine Reline - 33:18

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10km senior men’s category

Daniel Ebenyo Simiu - 29:16

Ishmael Kipkurui - 29:18

Weldon Langat - 29:26

2km women’s loop category

Purity Jepkirui - 20:07

Miriam Cherop - 20:10

Evaline Chepkoech - 20:12

8km U20 men’s category

Mathew Kipkoech - 23:32

Samuel Kibathi - 23:37

Charles Rotich - 23:40