Agnes Ng'etich/ FILEWorld 10km road race record holder Agnes Ng'etich says she is ready to leave everything on the roads this weekend as she chases another career milestone at the World Road Running Championships in Copenhagen, Denmark.
Ng'etich will spearhead Kenya's women's half marathon battalion alongside Lilian Kasait, Veronica Loleo and Daisilah Jerono. The women's half marathon is scheduled for Sunday at 10:10 am (Kenyan time), before the men's race gets underway at 10:45 am.
The Kenyan ace heads to Copenhagen carrying formidable credentials, boasting the second-fastest half marathon time in history after storming to victory at the 2024 Valencia Half Marathon in 1:03:04. Only Ethiopia's Letesenbet Gidey has run faster, setting the world record of 1:02:52 on the same Valencia course in 2021.
Ng'etich revealed that preparations have been intense as she builds towards another shot at global glory on the streets of Denmark. "Training has been going well," Ng'etich told Podium Athletics.
With her outstanding pedigree over 21km, the 25-year-old inevitably arrives as a leading contender. Ng'etich, however, admits the favourite tag comes with pressure. "Sometimes it's a lot of pressure going in as the favourite. This is my first time running at the World Road Running Championships."
Despite the expectations, Ng'etich says she is embracing the challenge with confidence. "Of course I am very excited and ready for the challenge."
She also knows that she will have a target on her back on race day. "It will be a tough event. All the athletes are ready. I will try my best," she added.
Competing at her second global championship of the year, Ng'etich hopes to crown a remarkable 2026 campaign with another golden performance.
While keeping her cards close to her chest, she made it clear that the top step of the podium is the ultimate ambition. "My target is to be on the podium. Of course gold is the target, but we will see what will happen on the field."
Ng'etich spectacularly launched her 2026 season by claiming her maiden world title at the World Cross Country Championships in Tallahassee, Florida, on January 10.
She captured senior women's 10km gold in 31:28, powering clear of Uganda's Joy Cheptoyek (32:10) and Ethiopia's Senayet Getachew (32:13).
Already an established force across cross country, the roads and the track, Ng'etich says her heart still belongs to road racing and cross country. "My favourite races are the roads, but also cross country because I have loved it since I was young."
Heading into Copenhagen, Ng'etich will be keen on keeping her flying momentum since launching her 2026 campaign. After the Florida triumph, her momentum continued on home soil as she dominated the Sirikwa Classic Cross Country Tour on February 14, winning the women's 10km in 32:28 ahead of Mercy Chepkemoi (33:42) and Catherine Amanang'ole (33:51).
A rare setback followed at the New York Half Marathon on March 15, where she faded to 13th in 1:10:25 as Hellen Obiri claimed victory in 1:06:33 ahead of Sharon Lokedi and Britain's Megan Keith.
True to her champion's pedigree, Ng'etich bounced back emphatically, producing back-to-back 10km road victories in Lille (28:58) on April 4 and New York (30:07) on June 6.
She then swapped the roads for the track at the Monaco Diamond League on July 10, delivering a commanding display to win the 3,000m in 8:08.95 ahead of Ethiopia's Aleshign Baweke (8:23.81) and Senayet Getachew (8:24.02), while Faith Kipyegon finished fourth in 8:24.21.
