Running in the winds of Absa Sirikwa classics

Written by Oral East Africa

You can taste the dust at Lobo Village in Eldoret, in Kapseret where troupes of would-be running champions and those out to cheer them on trampled on the yellowed grass and brown of a dry February.

The runners some as young as five-year-olds brave it and are seen as purposeful in their attempts at greatness running five hundred meters full throttle only to cough it off over a bottle of Dasani from Coca-Cola, one of the official sponsors.

The spectators, a multitude of fans estimated to be 15,000 lined the tracks in rows and littered the fields following closely the runners as they blitzed past their craned necks and watched the action at the podium where Absa Bank, the title sponsors were dishing out cheques to the winners.

The Absa Sirikwa Classic saw the top winners of the senior category receiving $6,000 (Kes780,000), with the second being awarded $5,000 (Kes650,000) and the third receiving $4,000 (Kes520,000). The winners of the U20 category received $1,250 (Kes162,500), with the second and third-place winners being awarded $1,000 (Kes130,000) and $800 (Kes104,000), respectively.

Legacy

The young boys and girls some even barefoot stood proudly adorned with medals elated by legends who had garlanded them and the hope they would walk similar paths.

I saw a young man walk away with a prized autograph from Eluid Kipchoge, sending them away with a beaming smile from what stood as a beacon of inspiration, for the young ones.

For the elite runners who took to the tracks in the late afternoon, the sun at its zenith, the track was unforgiving. Faith Kipyegon bowed out of the race and you could feel the whole arena cave from the punishing heat. The three-time Olympic champion and 1500m world record holder - exited the race in the third lap.

Some 40 athletes from 14 nations raced in the fourth edition of Absa Sirikwa Classic Cross-Country meet at the Lobo Village, one of the rare gold events on the African continent.

winners

The 10km world record holder Agnes Jebet emerged victorious stormin to victory in the elite Women’s 10km race at the #AbsaSirikwaClassic2025, crossing the finish line in a stellar 32:42 minutes. Lilian Atieno Odira blazed through the finish line in an incredible 6 minutes 48 seconds to claim victory in the Women’s 2km loop.

Kipkorir Cheruiyot dominated the Men’s 2km, finishing the race in 6 minutes 2 seconds while Daniel Ebenyo finished the race with a time of 29:57.

Fourth time success

The annual athletics event, now in its fourth edition, is part of fourteen World Athletics Cross Country Tour held in different countries globally.

It serves as fertile ground for emerging runners to test their mettle against pro athletes sharpening their wits for global tourneys. Kenya boast of being the only African country to have attained the standards to host a continental event the Kip Keino Classic, as well as two cross country marathons, that is Sirikwa classic and Chepsait.

Athletics Kenya Officials tell me to meet these standards, the event has to undergo rigorous checks on the length of the track, the set up of the venue, access to it as well as the quality of the hotels that will set up the athletes. Press and coverage, accreditation and medical all go into the checklist which if found wanting could result in the world athletics body pulling down the prestigious recognition.

The financial support of Absa Bank has elevated the event into a spectacle of color and entertainment, cultural dances and plenty of mursik which was served with reverence as the elixir of everything.

Absa Bank first supported Sirikwa Classic in 2023 with Kes2 million, instantly falling in love with the event and following up in 2024 with Kes3 million before opening the purse strings with Kes11 million support for the 2025 classics.