Big Money, Bigger Ambition: How the Sirikwa Classic Is Raising the Stakes in Global Cross-Country Racing

In the heart of Eldoret this February, the Absa Sirikwa Classic Cross Country isn’t just about who crosses the finish line first—it’s also about how much the race is worth. With the fifth edition set to take place on Saturday, organizers are making prize money a central part of the event’s global appeal, turning Kenya’s Gold Label cross-country into one of the most lucrative meets in the world.

“Last year we had 3,000 athletes, but this time round it’s almost doubling,” says Kennedy Tanui, the Meet Director for the Sirikwa Classic. “And the prize money around here is very enticing because it’s one of the top in the world.”

The incentives are staggering by any standard. Senior race winners will take home KSh 750,000 (around USD 6,000), while under-20 champions will earn approximately USD 2,000—one of the highest junior payouts globally. Beyond the top finishers, the event awards up to the top 20 athletes in each category, ensuring that more competitors benefit from their efforts.

“We are awarding up to number 20,” Korir explains. “Internationally, it is usually top 10, but we want more athletes to benefit.”

For elite and semi-elite runners in Kenya and across East Africa, these figures are more than symbolic, they are a career boost. Prize money at this level can fund training, travel, and even education, giving athletes tangible support alongside competition experience.

The event’s financial generosity extends beyond senior and under-20 categories. Junior and children’s races, some for athletes as young as five, are also fully funded, with a total prize purse exceeding KSh 20 million across all categories. “We are awarding all categories starting from the five-year-old,” Korir says. “That means more space for more money, and more motivation for the children.”

The strategy behind deep payouts is clear. By rewarding a wider swath of participants, Sirikwa attracts a larger, more competitive field while promoting athlete development from grassroots to elite levels. Korir notes that the approach aligns with the event’s broader ambitions: “We want to fully make this place the best in terms of prize awards and all those things—the best in the world. We are looking for partners to finance this vision.”

Sponsors have already played a key role in turning ambition into reality. Title sponsor Absa  Bank Kenua and the Sports Fund have been instrumental in elevating the prize structure over successive editions, but Tanui says organizers are seeking further support to sustain growth and attract even more international participation.

This year’s payout also reflects the event’s expanding status as a World Athletics Gold Label race. The combination of global recognition, logistical precision, and financial incentives has turned the Sirikwa Classic into a proving ground not only for Kenya’s famed long-distance runners but also for athletes across East Africa and beyond.

For competitors, the stakes are both professional and personal. “The money is motivating,” Korir says. “It’s not just about the medal; athletes know that performing well here can change their season and even their career.”

As thousands of runners prepare to line up this Saturday, the Sirikwa Classic is proving that cross-country racing in Africa can combine world-class competition, deep prize money, and developmental impact, a model that may redefine how continental meets compete for talent on the global stage.