Ordinarily, fighting off stiff opposition to retain the national 10,000 metres title in the punishing Kenyan trials for the Commonwealth Games should be a source of great satisfaction.
Not so for Kenya Prisons Service athlete Loice Chemnung.
On Friday, all appeared lost for the 29-year-old until the penultimate lap of women’s 10,000m final in the Kenyan trials at Nyayo National Stadium, but the athlete fought her way back into contention for the title and retained her crown.
Other than using the Kenyan trials to select a team for the 2026 Commonwealth Games, which will be held in Scotland from July 23 to August 2, the competition also doubled up as the National Athletics Championships. Chemnung not only retained her national title but also qualified to represent Kenya at the 2026 Commonwealth Games.
Now, the athlete from Ortum in West Pokot Chemnung, is split between representing Kenya at the 2026 Commonwealth Games and taking on the world’s finest marathoners at the 2026 Chicago Marathon on October 11, 2026.
Chemnung’s absence from the Commonwealth Games could deal a major blow to Athletics Kenya. It could not only derail Kenya’s plans of reclaiming the women’s 10000m title, the country last won at the 2014 Games in Glasgow, but could also end all hope of a podium sweep for Kenya at the Club Games.
“I would love to compete at the Commonwealth Games, but I am not quite sure about that. I will have to consult my coach since my other main focus is the Chicago Marathon, which also demands proper focus and preparations,” Chemnung, who broke away from the pack with five laps to go to retain her 10,000m title in 31 minutes and 46.09 seconds, said.
Chemnung relegated Africa 10,000m champion Diana Wanza of Kenya Police Service to second place in 31:56.80 as Selah Jepleting Busienei from Kenya Defence Forces came third in 32:01.85. Cardiff Half Marathon champion, Miriam Chebet, was fourth in 32:09.42.
Kenya Prisons’ Loice Chemnung (right) and Rebecca Mwangi lead the pack in the 10 000m women finals during National Athletics Championship/Trials for 2026 Commonwealth Games on June 19. 2026 at Nyayo National Stadium.
Photo credit: Chris Omollo | Nation Media Group
The 29-year-old Chemnung, who failed to finish the women’s 42km race in the Osaka Marathon in January 2026 but registered a career best second place in the 2026 Boston Marathon in April this year in 2:19:35, is coached by Thomas Potzinger from Austria.
A source at Athletics Kenya told Nation Sport that Chemnung’s coach had told the federation that his athlete will not be available for national team duties at the Commonwealth Games owing to the rigorous training programme as she prepares to compete in the Chicago Marathon for the first time.
“As far as I know, that is hearsay, and for sure, we shall name Chemnung in the Kenyan team by virtue of finishing top,” Athletics Kenya’s head coach Julius Kirwa dug in on Friday.
Should Chemnung make the Kenyan squad, she will be on course to represent the country for the third time at a championship event, having finished fifth in 5,000m at the 2014 World Under-20 Athletics Championships in Eugene, Oregon, and seventh in 1,500m at the 2019 African Games held in Morocco.
While Wanza is assured of a slot in Team Kenya, Jepleting’s chances of making the team are slim because she has not competed for almost a year. Chebet’s fate now lies in the hands of Team Kenya’s panel of selectors, led by Kirwa. The 2025 Istanbul Half Marathon champion is eager to make the team.
“I am more than ready to represent the country for the second time. I am really hoping I can make the team to Glasgow,” Wanza, who trains under UK-based coach Idris Sum, said.
Joyce Chepkirui was the last Kenyan to win the 25-lap race for Kenya at the “Club Games” when she triumphed in the 2014 edition in Glasgow. Ugandan runner Stella Chesang claimed the title at the 2018 Games in Gold Coast, Australia, and Eilish McColgan from Scotland reigned supreme in the 2022 edition held in Birmingham.
Meanwhile, Ishmael Kipkurui has had a flourishing career as a junior runner, the pinnacle of his success being his victory in the men’s under-20 race at the 2023 World Athletics Cross Country Championships in Australia.
Kenya Prisons' Lilian Kasait, Loice Chemnung and Rebecca Mwangi lead the pack in 10 000m women finals during National Athletics Championship/Trials for 2026 Commonwealth Games on June 19, 2026 at Nyayo National Stadium.
Photo credit: Chris Omollo | Nation Media Group
Kipkurui appears to be on a good trajectory in the senior category. He missed a medal by a whisker in 10,000m, finishing fourth at the 2025 World Athletics Championships in Tokyo. He then finished in fifth place at the 2026 World Athletics Cross Country Championships in Florida in January 2026.
The 21-year-old is now focused on claiming a major victory at senior ranks at the 2026 Commonwealth Games after a commanding victory in men’s 10,000m on Friday in 28:28.42. It was Kipkurui’s maiden national title.
Edwin Kurgat came second in the first 10,000m heat in 28:29.5. Both will make Team Kenya’s 10,000m squad alongside second heat winner Charles Kiboimo (28:21.52).
“Victory in Glasgow will for sure inspire me to do even better in the 2027 World Athletics Championships in Beijing,” Kipkurui observed. His ultimate target is victory at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympic Games.
