Ngetich to cut down road races to focus more on the 10,000m showdown in Tokyo

*Agnes Ng'etich during the Grand Slam Track in Kingston, Jamaica/HANDOUT*

World 10K record holder Agnes Ngetich has announced she will scale back on road races this season to fully focus on the 10,000m track event ahead of the World Athletics Championships in Tokyo later in September.

Ngetich kick-started her track campaign at the inaugural Grand Slam Track event in Kingston, Jamaica, where she featured in the women’s long-distance double — the 3,000m and 5,000m.

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In the 3,000m, she clocked 8:28.75 to settle for second place behind Ethiopia’s Ejgayehu Taye (8:28.42), with Tsigie Gebreselama finishing third in 8:38.15.

Ngetich returned to the track in the 5,000m, once again finishing runner-up to Taye in a time of 14:59.80, while Gebreselama was third in 15:24.62.

Kenya’s Hellen Ekalale placed fifth in 15:28.70.

The combined results saw Ngetich claim second overall in the women’s long-distance standings with 16 points, eight behind Taye, who bagged maximum points.

For her efforts, Ngetich took home a cool Sh6.5 million ($50,000) while Taye pocketed Sh12.9 million ($100,000).

Speaking after the meet, Ngetich confirmed that her priority now is sharpening her form over 25 laps. “I won't be doing a lot of road races this year. I only have the Adizero Road to Records 10K lined up. My main focus is the 10,000m at the World Championships,” Ngetich said.

She further highlighted that she switched her training regimen this year in readiness for the 10,000m.

"I have changed my training to focus more on the track with my main focus being on sharpening my speed," she noted.

She has already secured the qualifying standard of 30:20 for Tokyo, thanks to her 30:03 victory at the Adizero Road to Records 10K on April 27, 2024.

In that race, she led a Kenyan sweep, with Margaret Kipkemboi (30:39) and Jesca Chelangat (30:46) completing the podium.

While the huge prize money at the Grand Slam meet was a major lure, Ngetich said she saw it as the perfect chance to re-tune her legs for track racing.

"I signed up because of the amount of money we are competing for and also because I wanted to get back to the track," she added.

Reflecting on her 5,000m duel with Taye, Ngetich blamed humid conditions and strong winds for her narrow loss.

“It was windy and very hot, so it was a big challenge,” she explained. “I was even forced to run on the outside lane to avoid being pulled by the wind.”

Ngetich stayed with Taye stride for stride, but the final stretch proved tough, with the Ethiopian unleashing a decisive kick to seal victory.

"I was keeping up with Taye throughout the race and she just beat me in the final 200m," she noted.

Beyond competition, Ngetich said she hopes her presence in the elite field inspires the next generation of female distance runners.

“It’s incredible competing against these amazing ladies. I hope we can inspire young girls to chase their dreams on the track with patience, hard work and perseverance.”