THE 2026 EDITION

Key Details

Date & Venue

The 2026 Sirikwa Classic Cross Country is scheduled for 14 February 2026.
It will once again take place at Lobo Village, Kapseret in Eldoret, Kenya — the traditional home of the event.

Race Categories

The 2026 edition includes a wide range of races for different age groups and competitive levels:

Youth & Fun Categories

5–8 Years: 500 m (boys & girls)
9–12 Years: 1 km (boys & girls)
13–15 Years: 2 km (boys & girls)
(These contribute to community inclusion and encourage grassroots participation.) Registration is FREE WHILE SLOTS ARE AVAILABLE.

Elite / Competitive / Invite Only Races

Elite Only 2 km (Men & Women) — short elite sprint format
Under 20 Women: 6 km
Under 20 Men: 8 km
Senior Women: 10 km
Senior Men: 10 km — the marquee Gold-level World Athletics cross country races

Prize Money

The 2025 edition offered significant prize money with over Ksh 15 million (~$120,000+) total, supported by title sponsorship from Absa Bank Kenya — with senior winners earning ~$6,000 (~Ksh 780,000).

Although official 2026 figures are not yet fully published, the event traditionally maintains a similar prize structure to reward top finishers in elite and youth races.

In 2025:

Senior 10 km winners (men & women): approx. $6,000 for 1st place
Under-20 winners: approx. $1,250
Second and third in each category also received scaled awards.

Expect similar (or increased) prize packages in 2026, especially given continued sponsorship and growth of the event.

Key Changes vs. Previous Year

Expansion of Categories

The 2026 schedule puts even more emphasis on youth participation, with clearly scheduled age-group races across a broader range — from the age of 5 years to U20s — before the elite championships begin. This strengthens the community and talent development side of the event.

Elite Race Structure

Elite athletes still compete in the 2 km showcase races and classic 10 km senior races for men and women. Previously the elite short loop was featured, but the structured timetable in 2026 formalizes this as a highlight event - the 2Km Elite Only race.

World Athletics Tour Status

The Sirikwa Classic remains a World Athletics Cross Country Tour Gold-level event for 2026 — ensuring it attracts top global and Kenyan distance runners and offers world ranking points. This continued designation builds on past editions’ success and helps the event sit prominently in the international cross country circuit.

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Why it Matters

The Sirikwa Classic (Feb 14) is positioned early in the year, bridging national cross country races (like the Nike Discovery and Kenya Cross Country meets) with the international cross country season.
It is a key competitive opportunity ahead of national championships and international cross country meets, and helps elite athletes sharpen their form during the build-up to track and road seasons.