Kenyan athletes eye glory at NCAA showpiece
Ishmael Kipkurui (right) leads Cornelius Kemboi during a training session at the Moi International Sports Centre, Kasarani on August 3, 2023.
What you need to know:
- On the opening day, 800m runners Brian Kweyei (Clemson University) and Kidali Koitatoi (University of Oregon) will seek to advance to Friday’s finals.
- Meanwhile, Janet Amimo (University of Kentucky), Gladys Chepngetich (Clemson University), and Judy Rono (University of New Mexico) will compete on Thursday for spots in their respective finals.
In Oregon, USA
More than 35 Kenyan athletes will compete in various races at this year’s National Collegiate Athletics Association (NCAA) National Championships, set to begin on Wednesday at Hayward Field in Eugene, Oregon, USA.
A total of 28 athletes from Townhall Athletics will form the majority of participants in the track and field outdoor event.
The four-day championships also serves as a key buildup for the Kenyan trials ahead of the World Athletics Championships in Tokyo, Japan, scheduled for September 13-21.
Among those competing is Ishmael Kipkurui from the University of New Mexico, who will lead Kenya’s charge in the 10,000m and 5,000m races.
Kipkurui, who clocked 26:50.21 at Sound Running's The Ten on March 29, 2025, will face stiff competition from fellow Kenyans and international rivals, including Eritrea’s Habtom Samuel, who holds the second-fastest time in the world this season.
In an interview with Nation Sport, Kipkurui expressed confidence in his preparation but acknowledged the tough challenge ahead.
“We have a battle ahead, and it shall be a tough one. Having competed in the race on various occasions, I will be looking forward to impressing in the distance, but it depends on how my body reacts on that day,” he said.
“It is really competitive because I will be up against some of the top Kenyan athletes from various schools, plus Habtom Samuel, who has the second-fastest time in the world. You can tell the level of competition we’ll witness.”
The 10,000m race, scheduled for Wednesday evening, will also feature Timothy Chesondin (University of Arkansas), Rodgers Kiplimo (Iowa State University), Evans Kurui (Washington State University), and Dennis Kipngetich (Oklahoma State University), all eyeing the title.
Kipkurui added that the NCAA event is part of his preparations for the Prefontaine Classic Diamond League in Oregon on July 5 where Athletics Kenya will stage the men’s 10,000 metres and women’s 5,000 metres trials for the World Athletics Championships.
“After the national event, we have the trials, which are just two weeks away. That gives me time to prepare because I also need to make the team. Having a world-leading time doesn’t guarantee a spot—I still have to compete with other Kenyan athletes. But first, I must impress at the NCAA Championships,” said the 20-year-old.
Other Kenyans in action include World U-20 silver medallist Mathew Kosgei (University of New Mexico) in the 3,000m steeplechase semifinals, where he will face Joash Ruto (Iowa State), Collins Kiprop (University of Kentucky), and Bismark Kipchirchir (Akron University).
On the opening day, 800m runners Brian Kweyei (Clemson University) and Kidali Koitatoi (University of Oregon) will seek to advance to Friday’s finals.
Meanwhile, Janet Amimo (University of Kentucky), Gladys Chepngetich (Clemson University), and Judy Rono (University of New Mexico) will compete on Thursday for spots in their respective finals.