Young athletes got an opportunity to showcase their talents with the elites at the 7th edition of Kip Keino Classic Continental Tour staged at the Nyayo National Stadium.
It was the perfect arena for showcasing the next generation of track stars ahead of the 2026 World Under 20 Athletics Championships set for August 5-9 in Eugene, Oregon, USA.
Youngsters did not disappoint as they delivered an impressive performances before home fans in Nairobi setting their sights on making team Kenya.
In the 800m men, Wilson Chepkwech stormed to victory with a superb sprinting in the second lap to defeat Collins Tenderwa.
He won the race in 1:46.33, with Tenderwa stopping the timer in 1:46.56 in the hotly contested event. Nashon Pkiach came in third in a time of 1:47.15.
Nancy Kibet, a form three student at Kondabilet Secondary in Elgeyo Marakwet delivered a dominant performance in the women’s 800m, displaying a winning tact.
The 17-year-old athlete positioned herself on the lead from the gun and slowed at the bell before reacting with a blistering pace at homestretch.
Kibet claimed victory in 2:03.21. Nancy Jepngetich and Caren Chepchirchir settled for second and third places in 2:03:43 and 2:03.81 respectively.
“I ran the Athletics Kenya regional championships last week and I won. I will be competing in the national championships next month and I’m well prepared. I took part in secondary school games and I can say that 800m is about believing in yourself. I want to improve my time and be consistent,” Kibet said after victory.
The men’s U20 3000m steeplechase race was won by Brian Kandie, cruising to a spectacular win in the water and barrier competition.
He launched a mouthwatering sprint, punctuated with a goodbye wave to an overpowered Emmanuel Lemiso, who eventually placed second.
Kandie claimed his victory in 8:46.02 while Lemiso closely followed in 8:46.78 as Brian Ngetich closed the podium in 8:48.28.
“I knew that the competition would be tight and I prepared myself well. My target is to make the Kenyan team to the World U20 championships later in the year,” Kandie said.
In the men’s 3000m race, Emmanuel Kiprono reigned supreme after establishing and maintaining a commanding lead, winning the contest in 7:45.56.
Kiprono had opened a nearly 80m lead ahead of second-placed Wesley Kiplangat at the bell.
“I was in good shape. My dream is to compete in the World U20 championships,” Kiprono said.
Kiplangat clocked 8:01.04 for his second place as Enock Tuitoek completed the podium in 8:05.07.
The women’s U20 3000m saw two sisters Venenza Chebet Masai and Linda Chepkwemoi Masai ooze class.
The sisters stuck together but Chebet chalked up victory after injecting pace in the final bend, winning the race in 9:08.98. Chepkwemoi followed in 9:10.10 as Mercy Chepngeno (9:10.53) took the third position. They are Form Three students at Kongit Secondary School in Bungoma County.
“I’m happy because my younger sister came in second and our training mate finished third. We have had good training and we hope to make the World U20 team during the trials next month,” Chebet said.
Kevin Chesang secured victory in the senior men’s national 10,000m event.
The 10,000m field stuck together in the entire half of the 25 lap race before a pack including Chesang, Mkulia Kipkandie, Charles Kiboino, Amos Kiprotich and Titus Kibet pulled away.
Chesang unleashed his reserved gas in the final two laps to win in 28:31.50.
“The race was tough and I really struggled pushing the pace. However, I’m grateful to have won. I’ll be competing in the Africa Senior Championships and now that I’ve performed well here, fans should expect a good show. This was my first time competing at Kip Keino and next year, I’ll definitely be back to defend my title,” Chesang said.
Kipkandie and Kiboino came in second and third, crossing the line in 28:36.37 and 28:37.81 respectively