The Absa Kip Keino Classic lived up to its billing with world class performances under illuminating floodlights and the pulse of wavelight on track.
Six meet records tumbled, two world leads were set, and several career bests were registered on an electrifying day at Nyayo Stadium.
Africa’s fastest man, Ferdinand Omanyala, and Olympic and world 800 metres champion, Emmanuel Wanyonyi, received thunderous cheers as Paris Olympic Games multiple gold medallists, Gabby Thomas of America, almost brought down the roof at Kenya’s second biggest stadium.
Olympic gold medallist Gabby Thomas of the US trains at Nyayo National Stadium on April 23, 2026 ahead of Kip keino Classic.
Photo credit: Sila Kiplagat | Nation Media Group
“The exuberant crowd was supportive in appreciating the athletes, and the floodlights and wavelight technology just added to a wonderful atmosphere,” said Korir.
However, the anticipated full stadium attendance did not materialise, despite entry being free of charge.
Korir said they will need to find innovative ways to fill the stadium next year. He revealed that the competition day will revert to Saturday.
“The turnout wasn’t as we expected. Perhaps it was due to the event falling on Friday for the first time. It was a working day, and thus attendance was bound to be suppressed,” said Korir
Thomas, the Paris Olympic 200m champion, completed her second double in less than a week on the African tour.
Americans McCoy Maia, Sturgis Cambrea and Gabby Thomas after competing in the women's 100m during Kipkeino Classic on April 24, 2026 at Nyayo National Stadium.
Photo credit: Chris Omollo | Nation Media Group
She ran the fastest time on African soil in 200m in a new meet record and world lead time of 21.89 seconds, which was also her personal best time.
She broke the previous meet record of 22.07 set by America Sha’Carri Robinson in 2023 at Moi International Sports Centre, Kasarani. The dominant Thomas had moments earlier missed equalling her personal best in 100m by 0.01 after she glided to victory in 11.01.
“It was great, and I am happy for another sprint double win, this time in Nairobi, Kenya! Feeling fit, healthy, and most importantly, having so much fun, “said Thomas, who won the 100m in 11.13, and 200m in 21.89 at the Addis Ababa Grand Prix the previous Saturday.
“I didn’t expect to run that fast. Nairobi has been very nice to me coming. I will definitely come back next year,” said Thomas, who shifts focus to the Botswana Golden Grand Prix scheduled for today in Gaborone.
Emmanuel Wanyonyi celebrates after winning 1500m during Kipkeino Classic at Nyayo National Stadium on April 24,2026.
Photo credit: Sila Kiplagat | Nation Media Group
Omanyala seems to have gotten his groove back, following up his victory in a time of 9.98 at the Addis Ababa Grand Prix last week, his first sub-10 in 20 months, with a season’s best of 9.96 at Nyayo.
Wanyonyi’s, despite running in an unfamiliar 1,500m, coasted to victory in a personal best time of 3:34.11, stunning Olympic 1,5000m bronze medallist Reynold Cheruiyot to second place in 3:34.73 as and Kyumbe Munguti finished third in 3:36.21.
American hurdler Bianca Stubler trains at Nyayo National Stadium on April 23, 2026 ahead of Kip keino Classic.
Photo credit: Sila Kiplagat | Nation Media Group
Sri Lanka’s Rumesh Pathirage went away with the men’s javelin title in a new meet record haul of 89.28m. The previous record of 87.35m was set by Belgian Timothy Herman in 2023.
The 2016 Olympic champion, Thomas Roehler of Germany, finished second with a throw of 83.33m, with South African Douw Smit completing the podium places with a season’s best 81.19m. The 2015 world champion, Julius Yego of Kenya, finished a distant fourth with 79.87m.
Both men’s and women’s hammer throw were won by Olympic and world champions from Canada in meet records.
Olympic and double world champion, Camryn Rogers of Canada, defended her women’s hammer throw title with a meet record throw of 80.03m, erasing the previous best of 78.06m set by Anita Włodarczyk from Poland in 2022.
Kenyan sprinter Ferdinand Omanyala (left) and legend Kipchoge Keino at Tamarind Hotel in Nairobi on April 23, 2026.
Photo credit: Sila Kiplagat | Nation Media Group
Ethan Katzberg completed back-to-back victories with a world-leading mark of 82.43m in the men’s hammer throw. His throw was an improvement of his own effort in 2024 of 84.38m.
Amalie Iuel also sealed back-to-back wins in women’s 400m hurdles in a meet record and world lead time of 54.12. She improved her Kip Keino Classic record of 54.80 set last year.
Ethiopian Gemechu Godana claimed a stunning victory in the men’s 3000m steeplechase in a new meet record of 8:14.55, beating Kenyan race favourites, Africa bronze medallist Simon Koech to second place in 8:15.71 and Leonard Bett, who finished third in 8:25.06.
The previous meeting record of 8:17.60 was set by Abraham Kibiwott in 2020. The winners in the Core events pocketed $5,000 (Sh646,650), first runners up $3,000 (Sh387,990) and second runners up $2,000 (Sh258,660).
