•Ng'etich was only two seconds away from breaking the women's-only world record of 30:01 set by the late Agnes Tirop during the 2021 edition of the race.
•With her eyes now firmly set on the Paris Olympics, Ngetich expressed her determination to clinch a medal in the 10,000m event.
Image: HANDOUT
Agnes Ng’etich is eyeing a podium finish at the upcoming Paris Olympics after storming to victory in 30:03 to win the title at the Adidas Adizero 10km Road Race in Herzogenaurach, Germany on Saturday.
Not only did Ng’etich secure the title, but she also led a Kenyan podium sweep, with Margaret Chelimo ( 30:39 ) and Jesca Chelangat ( 30:46 ) taking second and third place respectively
Ng’etich was only two seconds away from breaking the women’s-only world record of 30:01 set by the late Agnes Tirop during the 2021 edition of the race.
With her eyes now firmly set on the Paris Olympics, Ngetich expressed her determination to clinch a medal in the 10,000m event.
“Now my focus shifts to the Olympics. I want a medal there in the 10,000m. I don’t know what medal I will get; bronze, silver or gold but I aim to win a medal,” Ng’etich stated.=
To prepare for the Olympics, Ng’etich plans to intensify her training regimen, which includes running 160km-per-week.
“I am now going back to full training with my focus on the Olympics. My training involves 160km runs per week,” she stated.
She will also be participating in some competitions to enhance her endurance. “I could take part in some Diamond League races in between for endurance,” she revealed.
Reflecting on her performance in Germany, Ngetich acknowledged her efforts to break the women's-only record, expressing gratitude for her performance.
“I pushed myself to try and break the record. Unfortunately, I wasn’t able to break the record but I am thankful for my performance,” she stated.
She, however, believes her work is not done yet as she sets her sights on next year’s edition to make another attempt.
“I am focused on breaking that record. If all goes well, I hope to accomplish my mission next year. I will not only defend my title but will also go for the record,” she added.
Ng’etich attributed her success to her rigorous training regimen and recent triumph in Valencia.
“My training has been good. I have been putting in the work. This season has been fair. I started with Valencia and after that I went back to training,” she stated.
In January, Ngetich clocked 28:46 to clinch the title at the Valencia 10km Road race, setting a new world record.
Prior to that, she had clocked 29:26 to seal the title at the Lille 10km Road race in 2023. During last year’s edition of the Adizero Road race, she placed third in a time of 30:27 behind Haiylu Tesfay of Ethiopia ( 30:26 ) and Irene Jepchumba ( 30:23 ).
In the men’s elite 10km, Nicholas Kipkorir led a 1-2 finish for Kenya clocking 27:05. Sebastian Sawe placed second in 27:06 with Burundi’s Rodrigue Kwizera clocking 27:07 for third spot.
Meanwhile, Emmanuel Wanyonyi set a new record in the road mile clocking 3:54.5.
The previous record of 3:56.13 was set by American athlete Hobbs Kessler in Riga, Latvia. In the women’s mile, Nelly Chepchirchir stormed to victory in 4:30.90 with USA’s Addison Wiley ( 4:31.90 ) and Britain’s Alexandra Bell ( 4:32.60 ) settling for second and third positions respectively.