This afternoon a super-fast field ever assembled for the Sirikwa Classic World Cross Country Tour will have gathered at the Lobo Village in Uasin Gishu for a major showdown.

Two world record holders, Faith Kipyegon and Agnes Jebet Ngetich, who are in the legion of stars battling for honours at the fourth edition of the cross-country tour have promised fireworks.

With their promise, a showdown of athletics superstars is looming large at the Lobo Village.

Yesterday, athletics enthusiasts were assured of thrillers and talking points.

By 4.30pm, the stomping will have ended, the champions will have been crowned, and the preparation for the track season will have officially kicked off.

Kipyegon, the three-time Olympic champion and 1500m world record holder said she would be honoured to return for another attempt to bask in glory. She was the winner of the 2023 edition and hopes to recapture the crown this afternoon.

Ngetich, the 10km world record holder yesterday said at a pre-race conference in Eldoret that she was yearning for the opportunity to run with Kipyegon, her mentor, for the first time in her fast-rising career.

Kipyegon said she will be running her race and that she was not under pressure.

She recalled the 2023 moment when she stylishly started a world-breaking season at the Sirikwa Classic Cross Country Tour.

Kipyegon said her major plan this year was to compete at the 2025 Tokyo World Championships in September.

Upgrading to 10,000m is also on the list of her ambitious plans this season, she said during the pre-race conference.

“Cross Country builds athletes’ season. I started with Sirikwa Classic in 2023 and went ahead to have a successful season,” Kipyegon said hours to today’s race.

She went on to say: “I want to run my own race. You guys (fans) have huge expectations.”

Kipyegon urged participating athletes to compete and complete the cross-country race.

“I was a little bit afraid when cross country shifted to 10km….. As years go, we change the event and maybe the 10,000m  in the future,” Kipyegon said, and added: “I urge all athletes to run and finish the race.”

Ngetich, who was ready for the head-to-head with her mentor, Kipyegon said she would the race as a buildup for the track season.

The 10km record holder said she had hoped to represent Kenya at the 2024 Paris Olympics but an injury crashed her dream.

She is now setting her sights on the World Championships.

“This is the first time I am running with Faith and I’m happy. I watched her running and winning since when I was a young girl in grade seven,” said Ngetich.

She opened last year with a world record and ended the season with second fastest time in the half marathon in Valencia

“For now I am focused on the track, shifting to the half marathon is a decision to be made in the future,” she said.

She continued: “The Lobo Village course is good and I expect to run my best.”

World 500m silver medallist Jacob Krop who recently returned from his training base in Japan to prepare for the season said he was hopeful a thrilling contest.

“ It will be a build up for the track. I ran cross country last in 2021 in Kapsokwony. I will be taking part in the event for the first time in four years and I expect a tough race,” the Olympian said.

Former marathon world record holder Eliud Kipchoge had on Thursday evening urged upcoming athletes to focus seriously on cross country races such as the Sirikwa Classic Tour.

“Run and come out with flying colors. Any position is a good number,” Kipchoge said.

Athletics Kenya President Jackson Tuwei said the federation will continue making the event better.

Tuwei said the cross country show was part of the road to Tokyo World Championships.

“I challenge Kenyan fans to attend the showpiece in large numbers in support for the cross country tour. We encourage athletes from all continents to come to Kenya to participate in our races,” the World Athletics vice President said.