NAIROBI, Kenya, May 30, 2025 – The sixth edition of the Kip Keino Classic promises to be a spellbinding spectacle as various competitors seek to build momentum for the World Athletics Championships, set for Tokyo in September, this year.
The event has always been a standout among the World Continental Tour series for various reasons – chief of which is that it is staged in the high altitude city of Nairobi.
Secondly, Kenya is a pilgrimage city of athletics – a visit that many athletes look forward to see the land that has birthed some of the biggest names in the history of the sport, including Kipchoge Keino, Eliud Kipchoge, Wilson Kiprugut, Paul Tergat and Faith Kipyegon, among others.
The man after who the event is named, Kipchoge Keino, listened keenly and silently as five athletes spoke of their ambitions for Saturday’s event at a pre-race conference at the Tamarind Hotel in Nairobi.
The three-time world record holder must have seen his younger self in the athletes as they spoke of how far they have come and what more they want to achieve in the sport.
One of them, Olympic javelin bronze medalist Anderson Peters exuded hope of breaking the world record one day, considering that age is on his side.
“Of course, I am still 27 years old and I would love to be the one to break the world record. I believe it is possible to go beyond 98 metres. We have seen a number of athletes come close to doing it,” the 2019 World champion said.
On the ‘other side of 30,’ the 2016 Olympic javelin silver medalist Julius Yego said he is eyeing one final throw that will leave tremors across the sport.
“I believe there is one more throw inside of me and I have been feeling it of late. I want to rekindle the fire that used to burn inside of me. I still consider myself young and so there’s no reason why I shouldn’t break my personal best (PB). That’s what I want to do,” the 2015 World champion said.
Right attitude for high altitude
High altitude or not, African 100m silver medalist Maia McCoy is determined to soar high at her first-ever Kip Keino Classic.
Speaking at the same conference, the American admitted the high altitude of Nairobi is something she had never factored in her preparations.
But, that shouldn’t be a problem for an athlete who has had to surmount challenges on her path to prosperity.
“To be honest, I didn’t know about the high altitude of Nairobi but all the same I hope it won’t affect me because I have prepared well,” the 28-year-old said.
The African Games silver medalist is hoping that Saturday’s competition will help her take one more step towards representing the United States at the global competition in the Japanese capital.
“My roots are in the United States and now I want to compete for them. Even amidst the competition for places, I have run at the national trials before for the World Championships and the Olympics. I am excited to once again run in the tough leagues, competing for a place in the American team,” McCoy said.
‘Right my wrongs’
What a difference 12 months can make!
In Sarah Moraa’s case, last year’s Kip Keino Classic is one she would love to relegate to the backburner of her thoughts.
Taking her baby steps in international competition, the 19-year-old failed to finish in the women’s 800m.
Fast forward to 2025 and the youngster has rightfully staked her claim as one of the future stars of the women’s 800m.
As she sat for Friday’s pre-race conference, Moraa already has the African and World Under 20 titles to her name.
Ahead of her second appearance at the World Continental Tour Gold, there are no doubts as to where her focus is.
“I want to run well tomorrow and try to qualify for the World Championships. Last year was a huge disappointment but I picked myself up and managed to do well at the World Under 20. I came to learn that what happened (at Kip Keino Classic) is part of athletics and all that you need to do is to pick yourself up and move on,” the youngster said.
Also looking to right his wrongs from last year’s edition is Commonwealth Games champion Ferdinand Omanyala.
The 29-year-old says the Kip Keino Classic is close to his heart, the advent of this competition coinciding with his sudden rise in the world of sprints.
“I have grown up with Kip Keino…basically we are agemates because it was during that period that I started running professionally. We have grown together and I am glad that people associate me with it,” he said.
Following a fifth place finish at last year’s competition – where he clocked 10.05 – the African record holder is crossing his fingers for a flawless race come Saturday.
“For me, it has all been about getting into rhythm because I was out of action for the past seven months before I came back. I am happy with how I performed in Rabat (fourth leg of Diamond League) and I am looking forward to perfect race tomorrow,” Omanyala said.
The event will be staged at the Ulinzi Sports Complex, the first time it has not been held at the Moi International Sports Centre Kasarani or Nyayo Stadium.
Regardless of the change of venue, it is bound to be an electric atmosphere as fans cheer for every competitor to the maximum.
Now that the talk is done, let the games begin…
