Ishmael Kipkurui reacts after winning the 10,000m race during the NCAA National Championships at the Hayward Field in Oregon, Eugene in US on June 11, 2025.
At least 50 Kenyan student-athletes based in USA will compete in the prestigious National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division I Outdoor Track and Field Championships from today at Hayward Field in Eugene, Oregon.
A total of 122 Kenyan student-athletes from different universities in USA competed in the regional championships two weeks ago.
The best collegiate athletes in USA compete will compete for honours in various categories in the four-day event, with men and women competing on alternate days. They will compete in track and field events, including in sprints, hurdles, middle and long-distance races, and the steeplechase.
The athletes’ qualification for the event reflects the growing influence of Kenyan athletes in US collegiate games, which has become a major pathway for them to advance their academic and sporting careers. Townhall Athletics Club, a non-profit athletics organization based in Eldoret, has sent 40 athletes to the event.
The number of Kenyan athletes at the NCAA Championships has grown steadily over the years, with universities across the US increasingly recruiting talented athletes from the country on sports scholarships.
There will be a new champion in men’s 10,000m after Ishmael Kipkurui, formerly based at the University of New Mexico, turned professional.
Ishmael Kipkurui reacts after winning the 10,000m race during the NCAA National Championships at the Hayward Field in Oregon, Eugene in US on June 11, 2025.
Evans Kiplagat, a student at the University of New Mexico, is pleased to have qualified for the national championships in 10,000m race after failing to do so last year.
Kiplagat, with a personal best time of 27 minutes, 59.71 seconds over the distance. To him, competing in the championships feels like competing in the prestigious Diamond League series.
“I’m excited to be competing in Oregon. The field looks strong, and some of the best distance runners will be there. Because it is the final, I have to be tactical if I want to end up among the top athletes,” he told Nation Sport on Tuesday on phone from Albuquerque.
Other Kenyans chasing glory in 10,000m race are Evans Kurui from Washington State University, Kelvin Cheruiyot (University of Florida), Victor Kipkoech (Texas Tech University), Dennis Kipruto (University of Alabama), Elsingi Kipruto (University of Louisville), Robin Kwemoi (Iowa State University), Denis Kipngetich (Oklahoma States University) and Ernest Cheruiyot (University of Arkansas).
Top Kenyan athletes
Kiplagat, a communications student, will also be competing against his college mate, Eritrean Habtom Samuel, who is among the top contenders.
William Ngetich, director of Townhall Athletics Club, said: “We are excited because the number of Kenyan student-athletes in the championship is growing each year. It is important to have another career option apart from running in order to achieve stability, which is why we have always urged athletes to pursue sports scholarships. We are happy that they have been heeding the call.”
The NCAA Championships have served as a launch pad for many top Kenyan athletes who have excelled in the American collegiate system and gone on to enjoy successful professional careers.
One such athlete is Ibrahim Hussein, who attended the University of New Mexico. In 1987, Hussein made history when he became the first African athlete to win the New York City Marathon.
Then there was the legendary runner, Henry Rono, who set four world records in just 81 days while studying at Washington State University in 1978. Later, the university honoured him with a bronze statue.
Another notable example is Patrick Sang, who studied and competed at Texas Christian University. He emerged as one of Kenya’s finest steeplechase runners, winning a silver medal at the 1992 Olympic Games, and later became one of the world’s most respected coaches.
He currently coaches Eliud Kipchoge, who is widely regarded as one of the greatest marathon runners in history. He also coaches triple 1500 metres Olympic champion Faith Kipyegon, among others.
Last year, Kenyan athletes delivered an impressive performance at the NCAA national championships by capturing six titles in various disciplines.
The winners were Ishmael Kipkirui (10,000 metres), Brian Musau (5,000 metres), Winny Bii (triple jump), Pamela Kosgei (5,000 metres and 10,000 metres) and Doris Lemngole (3,000 metres steeplechase).
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