Athletics

The 46-year-old clocked 2:25:44 in a highly competitive women’s elite race dominated by Ethiopian athletes, further underlining her remarkable longevity in long-distance running.

The squad was unveiled on Saturday after two days of intense national trials held on May 22 and 23 at Nyayo National Stadium in Nairobi, where emerging middle-distance athletes competed for a place on the international team.

The moment will mark Grace’s marathon debut and one of the most personal chapters in Kipchoge’s decorated running career.

Kenya’s Ferdinand Omanyala turned the tables in the men’s 100m after finishing runner-up in Shanghai, winning in 9.94 seconds (0.2 m/s). He held off South Africa’s Gift Leotlela, who clocked 10.00, with the United States’ Trayvon Bromell finishing third in 10.03 and Kenny Bednarek fourth in the same time.

Kipchoge emphasised that Africa deserves representation among the world’s biggest marathon races, given the continent’s rich history in long-distance running.

According to investigators, there were no irregularities in the testing or laboratory procedures that could have caused the positive results. Sang was formally notified of the charges on March 11 and immediately handed a provisional suspension pending the outcome of the case.

One of the most anticipated races of the evening will be the women’s 3000m steeplechase, where reigning world champion Faith Cherotich will renew her rivalry with Ugandan Olympic champion Peruth Chemutai.

Kipruto, who rose to global prominence after winning bronze in the men’s 10,000 metres at the 2019 World Championships in Doha and later setting a world record in the 10km road race in Valencia, had continued to insist throughout the proceedings that he never used banned substances or methods.

The Premium Weekend Meet, which had earlier been scheduled for May 29-30, will now be jointly conducted during the National Athletics Championships from June 18–20 at Nyayo National Stadium in Nairobi.

The series was unveiled at Sanctuary Mandela as the foundation marked 27 years since Mandela established the organisation and stepped down as South Africa’s first democratically elected president.

South Africa topped the medal table with 20 medals, including nine gold, three silver, and eight bronze. Kenya followed closely in second place with six gold, four silver, and seven bronze medals.

Jackson Tuwei has been appointed interim president of the Confederation of African Athletics following the death of long-serving leader Hamad Kalkaba Malboum, with elections set for 2027.

Kipyegon finished the race in 14:24.14 after a tightly contested finish that was decided in the final metres. Ethiopia’s Likina Amebaw pushed her all the way to the line, finishing a close second in 14:24.21, while compatriot Senayet Getachew completed an all-East African podium in 14:24.71.

According to Korir, the trials will not be open to everyone, but will instead feature invited athletes identified through performances at the national primary and secondary school championships held earlier this year.

For Omanyala, it is a chance to confirm that his African sweep can translate into global authority. For Kipyegon, it is the first brick in another carefully built championship year.

Looking ahead, Chesang is already focused on building on his continental success as he targets a step up to the global stage at the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, set for July 23 to August 2.

Athletics Kenya President, Lt. Gen. (Rtd) Jackson Tuwei, described Malboum as a transformational leader whose contribution helped raise the profile of African athletics internationally.

Melese suffered a sudden medical emergency while training. She was taken to a nearby hospital immediately, but doctors were unable to save her life.

Collins Kemboi retains his Geneva Marathon crown in a personal best as Kenya dominates the men’s race with an unprecedented top-five sweep.

The race will carry added significance for the Kenyan as she celebrates her 30th birthday on race day, a milestone that could provide extra motivation as she seeks to announce herself on the global marathon stage with a strong performance in Copenhagen.

The package, branded the “Champion’s Retreat,” is designed to offer the marathon star time to rest and celebrate while experiencing Kenya’s diverse tourism offerings.

The meeting marks the 12th time the two have faced each other on the Diamond League circuit in just four seasons, a remarkable frequency that underlines how closely matched and consistently dominant they have been. 

Cherargei urged the Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) to zero-rate winnings earned by athletes, arguing that such earnings should not be subjected to heavy taxation.

At State House, Nairobi, a red-carpet reception followed, complete with the Kenyan and East African anthems, before Sawe symbolically handed the national flag to President Ruto.

The long-distance runner made history in London after becoming the first athlete to complete a marathon in under two hours during an official race, clocking a remarkable record time of 1:59:30.

The rankings were decided using each athlete’s best three cross-country performance scores recorded between September 2025 and March 2026.

The milestone was celebrated worldwide, not just by athletics fans. It was considered at the time to be a similar achievement to scaling Mount Everest for the first time, which Sir Edmund Hilary and Tenzing Norgay had done the year before.

Sawe shaved 65 seconds off the previous world record set by Kelvin Kiptum in 2023 and became the first athlete to run a legal sub-two-hour marathon.

Obiri crossed the finish line in a personal best time of 2:15:53, continuing her strong run of success at the highest level of distance running.

Sawe made history at the London Marathon by becoming the first athlete to complete a sub-two-hour marathon in an official competitive race.

In his congratulatory message, Ruto hailed Sawe’s performance as a landmark achievement for Kenya and global athletics.

Sawe becomes the first athlete ever to run a sub-2-hour marathon in official race conditions, clocking 1:59:30.

Other contenders include Kenya’s Catherine Reline Amanang’ole, Ethiopia’s Degitu Azimeraw, Bahrain’s Eunice Chumba and Uruguay’s Julia Paternain.

Reflecting on the moment, Omanyala admitted he knew victory was secured even before the race was over.

Coming off a strong run in Addis Ababa, the African record-holder is confident of delivering in front of the home crowd.

Korir’s victory also came with a significant financial reward, as he earned Sh19.4 million ($150,000) for winning the race.

Korir won the 2025 Boston Marathon in 2:04:45 before claiming success at the Chicago Marathon later that year.

According to the official website of World Athletics, the men's outdoor world record for 1,500 meters is 3 minutes and 26 seconds, set in 1998.

Defending champion Alex Matata successfully kept his title after clocking 60 minutes and one second.

World Athletics has rejected 11 athletes’ bids to represent Turkey, citing a coordinated, state-backed recruitment scheme that threatens eligibility rules and the integrity of international competition.

Olympic 800m champion Emmanuel Wanyonyi moves up to 1500m at the Kip Keino Classic in Nairobi, headlining a strong international field in the first-ever evening edition of the meet.

Three-time Olympic champion Faith Kipyegon will open her 2026 outdoor season with a 5000m race at the Shanghai Diamond League in Keqiao, using the longer distance to test endurance and set up her year.

The squad was selected after a three-day competition held from April 9 to 11, which brought together the country’s top sprinters, middle- and long-distance runners, and field athletes vying for national team slots.

Emmanuel Wanyonyi and Beatrice Chebet retained top honours at the 22nd SOYA Awards at Uhuru Gardens, as Kenya celebrated standout achievements in athletics, team sports and para-sports.

Originally set for May 8 in Doha, the event will now take place on June 19, subject to improvements in the security situation.

Its reintroduction marks the first time in more than three decades that the women’s mile will be contested at the event, with organisers promising a world-class line-up led by Kipyegon.

His results from October 3, 2025, have also been disqualified, with all consequences including forfeiture of medals, titles, prizes, points and appearance fees.

Kenya’s Andrea Kiptoo and pacemaker Dennis Kipkemoi shared the men’s win at the Berlin Half Marathon, while Ethiopia’s Likina Amebaw claimed the women’s race with the event’s third-fastest time.

Oketch produced a composed run in the women’s 400m semi-finals, clocking 51.90 seconds to finish second in her heat behind the Czech Republic’s Lurdes Gloria Manuel, who won in 50.96.

In the men’s 400m, Brian Tinega also progressed after a composed run. The debutant timed 46.21 seconds to finish second behind Canada’s Christopher Morales-Williams, securing his place in the semi-finals.

Two-time Boston Marathon champion Hellen Obiri set a new course record at the 2026 United Airlines NYC Half, as Adriaan Wildschutt won the men’s race in 59:30 in New York.