VENUE & COURSE
Lobo Village
Lobo Village is the official home of the Sirikwa Classic Cross Country, located near Kapseret in Eldoret, Uasin Gishu County. It’s an expansive open-air events and recreation venue set amid rolling highlands west of Kenya’s Rift Valley.
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The site is easily accessible from Eldoret city centre, about a 15–20 minute drive on the Eldoret–Kapsabet road (A104), making it convenient for athletes, officials, and spectators.
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Lobo Village is not just a race venue — it’s a multi-purpose open space with natural landscapes and facilities for events, camping, water activities, and recreation, offering a scenic backdrop for major cross-country competition.
Location & Accessibility
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Nearest city: Eldoret, a major urban hub and athletics training centre in western Kenya.
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Transport: Easily reached by car, taxi, or local minibuses (matatus) from Eldoret. There’s ample parking and clear signage for the race site itself.
Elevation & Climate
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The Eldoret region, including Kapseret where Lobo Village sits, lies at high altitude (around 2,100–2,300 m above sea level). This altitude provides thin air training benefits and adds a physiological challenge to cross-country racing.
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Climate: Sub-tropical highland with moderate to warm daytime temperatures in February — often dry and dusty, which influences course conditions and strategies on race day.
A map of the venue is generally available through race registration platforms and is marked in official guides, helping athletes locate starting zones, call-rooms, medical points, and spectator areas.
Course Description
The Sirikwa Classic course at Lobo Village is designed to reflect the classic cross-country ethos — a natural, varied terrain that tests strength, pacing, and agility.
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First edition: The event began in 2022 as the Agnes Tirop Memorial Cross Country, named after Kenya’s celebrated world champion.
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Name change: In 2023, it was rebranded as the Sirikwa Classic, drawing on local heritage and broadening its identity.
General Features
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Open-field terrain: Races are run over grass, packed earth, and lightly kept trails, reflecting traditional cross-country surfaces.
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Undulating hills: The course winds across gentle rises and falls, demanding both tactical pacing and endurance, particularly in the senior 10 km races.
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Loops: Elite and senior races typically use multiple loops of the main course, while shorter and youth races have distinct looped circuits designed for their distances.
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Natural obstacles: Small mounds and contours add variation. For some editions, organizers introduced artificial hills and course features based on technical needs, balancing safety and challenge.
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Race-Specific Setup
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World Athletics Gold standard: As a Gold-level meet, course layout and measures meet international championship requirements, with clearly marked routes, secure start/finish zones, and regulated loop lengths.
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For 2025, improvements included moving the start line backward for a better run-in, and enhancing spectator comfort with grass-lined viewing areas and misting zones for hotter conditions.
Atmosphere & Spectator Areas
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The course is designed to be spectator-friendly, with finish areas and key loops visible to fans, and amenities near gathering points for family, youth, and elite races.
Map & Orientation
A typical layout includes:
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Call Room & Athlete Assembly: Separate warm-up and staging area.
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Start Line: Often raised and temporary structure to standardise the race start.
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Main Loop(s): A mix of grass, dirt, and slight hills; marked with signage and marshals.
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Finish Zone: Open area close to spectators and facilities, marked for clear timing capture.
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Support & Medical Points: Spread throughout for athlete safety.
Course marshals, water stations, and first-aid points at strategic spots, reflecting international race standards.
The Lobo Village Setting
The venue’s natural beauty, wide open spaces, and gentle landscape make it ideal for running — not just competition but also for training and community runs. Its peaceful setting contrasts with the intensity of elite racing, offering a unique blend of rugged sport and scenic environment.
Official Partners & Sponsors
Contact
+254 794 622 675
Disclaimer
The Participant grants permission to the Organiser and its partners to publish photographs and images and similar material prior, during and after the Event in which the participant is recognisable
Location
The Lobo Village,
7615-30100,
Kenya
© 2026 Sirikwa Classic. All rights reserved.
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