ELDORET, Kenya, Feb. 22 (Xinhua) -- World 10km record holder Agnes Jebet Ngetich delivered a stunning performance to dominate the women's field, while Daniel Simiu Ebenyo successfully defended his title at the Sirikwa Classic in Eldoret City, western Kenya, on Saturday.

The event, held at the hot and dusty Lobo Village course, was the final World Cross Country Tour Gold meeting of the season. Ngetich, 24, unleashed a commanding display in the women's senior 10km event, finishing in 32 minutes and 42 seconds after pulling away from her challengers in the second lap.

Triple Olympic champion Faith Kipyegon, who was a pre-race favorite alongside Ngetich, dropped out with a lap to go. Janeth Chepngetich secured the silver medal, finishing behind Ngetich in 33:52, while Mirriam Chebet rounded out the podium, taking bronze in 34:09.

"The race was not easy, it was so windy and the field was so competitive with elite athletes. I am grateful to have won today because I was not expecting the victory," Ngetich told reporters after the race.

Regarding her race against Kipyegon, Ngetich admitted she was unaware that her rival had dropped out of contention. "At the pre-race press conference, there was so much pressure. Faith is a queen, I respect her, she is my mentor but anyone can win in cross-country," she added.

Ngetich is now focused on securing a spot on Kenya's team for the 2025 World Athletics Championships in Japan this September. She rose to fame in January last year when she set a new women's 10K road running world record in Valencia, clocking 28:46 and breaking the previous mark held by her late compatriot, Agnes Jebet Tirop, by 28 seconds.

In 2023, she also won bronze for Kenya at the Bathurst World Cross in Australia.

In the men's senior 10km, world half marathon silver medalist Ebenyo retained his title, finishing perfectly to edge out Gideon Ronoh and Nicholas Kipkorir. Ebenyo, a Commonwealth Games silver medalist in the 10,000m, completed the dry course in 29:57, with Ronoh and Kipkorir finishing in 30:07 and 30:15, respectively.

Having recently won the National Cross Country title in Eldoret two weeks ago, Ebenyo is now preparing for the Seoul Marathon scheduled for March 16.

Earlier in the day, Cynthia Chepkirui claimed victory in the women's 6km under-20 category, finishing in 20:37, ahead of Joyline Chepkemoi (20:40) and Diana Chepkemoi (20:50).

Kevin Biwott won the men's 8km gold, edging out a four-way sprint finish to clock 24:24. Frankline Chebet took silver on a photo finish among three runners who recorded a dead heat time of 24:27, while Festus Kimorwo secured bronze, narrowly defeating Emmanuel Kipkorir. Enditem

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