The organizers of the Sirikwa Classic Cross Country have announced an increase in the prize money for the upcoming third edition. The total prize money for the World Athletics Gold label cross country has been raised to Ksh 15,239,000, with specific amounts allocated for different categories. The race director, Barnabas Korir, stated that the prize money for the under 20 category has been set at Ksh 2,128,000, while the senior men and women will be competing for a total of Ksh 9,216,000. This announcement was made during the official launch of the event, which is scheduled to take place on Saturday, February 3, in Eldoret.

Korir revealed that more than 500 participants from various parts of the world have already registered for the race. He specified that there are 138 entries in the senior women category, 165 for senior men, 101 for junior men, and 99 for junior women. Additionally, athletes from countries such as Japan, Poland, Norway, Germany, and Britain are expected to participate in the event, which will be held at the Lobo Village in Uasin Gishu County.

In addition to the increased prize money, this year’s edition of the cross country race will serve as a platform for Athletics Kenya (AK) to select a competitive team to represent the country in the upcoming African Cross Country Championships in Tunisia. This dual purpose adds significance to the event, as it will not only showcase top international talent but also provide an opportunity for local athletes to qualify for the continental championships.