At least 100 international athletes will be gracing the upcoming Memorial Agnes Tirop World Cross Country Tour.
The tour which is on its last round will be staged at Lobo Village, in Kapseret, on the outskirts of Eldoret town on Saturday, February 12, 2022.
According to race secretary Kennedy Tanui, among those that have confirmed participation is World Half Marathon Record holder Letesenbet Gidey from Ethiopia.
Three-time IAAF World Half Marathon champion Geoffrey Kamworor will be the leading Kenyans representative.
The world tour has been named in memory of the 2015 IAAF World Cross Country Championships gold medalist Agnes Tirop who was stabbed to death, allegedly, by her husband in October 2021.
“Over 100 international athletes have confirmed their participation. They are from all over the world, from Ethiopia, Germany cross country champions among others,” said Tanui.
Preparations for the race are almost complete, with athletes who will be participating advised to visit the venue of the event, at least two days prior to familiarize themselves with the 2,000 meters course.
According to the race technical and competition director Ibrahim Kipkemboi Hussein, the cross country course will have among others a man-made hill, hay barriers, and a water body point filled with mud.
“The course is very exciting,” said Hussein.
It is the first time the City of Champions is hosting the World Cross Country Tour, and organizers are upbeat it will be a success.
Aside from the main event – the 10k race for men and women, there will be a curtain-raiser for under 10 children who will run half the course followed by under 18 competition and the under 20s, formerly the junior cross country.
“The last event will be the women race where Agnes Tirop was the world champion. This is purposely for special recognition and advocacy of gender-based violence,” noted the race secretary.
Eldoret being home to many athletes, a huge crowd is expected to grace the international race.
