How Kenya's athletics superstars dominated global events in 2025

The winner Bernard Cheruiyot cross the 42km line ahead of Elite Athletes category in the 22nd edition of The Standard Chartered Nairobi Marathon at Uhuru Gardens. [Jonah Onyango, Standard] Fingers were crossed, jaws dropped, excitement built up, adrenaline ran high, and dreams came alive as athletics superstars sought to affirm their dominance at spectacular contests on the global stage in 2025. At some events, athletics stars produced historic performances, and in others, they played second fiddle to their opponents. They rose from defeats in some races to dominance in other standout shows in the face of huge expectations. From the premier athletics competition of the year-the Tokyo World Championships in September-to the Diamond League and World Marathon Majors, 2025 was another chapter in the history of Kenya's running achievements. From the different exploits, wall cabinets in stars' residences welcomed additional sets of medals and trophies, and the country's flag flew high, and the nation's melodious national anthem was sung. At the Tokyo World Athletics Championships, the country's superstars stamped their authority in a number of races. Once again, song and dance rent the air as heroic Kenyans jetted back after ranking first in Africa and second globally. With a total of 11 medals, among them seven gold medals, two silver, and a similar number of bronze, Kenya reaffirmed its status as an athletics powerhouse. Beatrice Chebet (5000m and 10000m), Faith Kipyegon (1500m), Faith Cherotich (3000m steeplechase), Emmanuel Wanyonyi (800m), Lilian Odira (800m) and Peres Jepchirchir (marathon) all won gold medals. Kipyegon and Dorcus Ewoi achieved silver in 5000m and 1500m respectively as Edmund Serem (3000m steeplechase) and Reynold Cheruiyot (1500m) bagged bronze. "We did so well in Tokyo and returned the Kenyan flag with medals. It was a good performance and we keep going," former world javelin champion Julius Yego said. Before the World Championships, athletics stars fired their warning shots at the Diamond League circuit. A number of meetings stood out, among them was the final in Zurich on August 27 and 28. It was during the final that world champions Wanyonyi (800m) and Cherotich (3000m steeplechase) as well as 1500m star Nelly Chepchirchir claimed the overall titles. But the Eugene Meet in Oregon, USA was historic for Kenyan stars. World champions Chebet and Kipyegon produced stunning performances. Chebet, who was at the time a double Olympic gold medallist from 2024 Paris Games, shattered the 5000m world record and became the first woman in history to dip under 14 minutes in the distance. He had achieved a similar feat in the same venue in 10,000m last year. This year, she opened her campaign with a 5000m meeting record in Xiamen and a 3000m African and Diamond League record of 8:11.96 in Rabat. And at the Prefontaine Classic (Eugene Diamond League) in July, Chebet stormed to a jaw-dropping 13:58.06. "I'm so happy to become the first woman to run under 14 minutes," said Chebet. "After Rome, I knew that I was capable of running a world record," Chebet said in July. At the same meeting, all eyes were on Faith Kipyegon, who was on a mission to attack her world record in the women's 1500m. Coming off the back of her audacious attempt to become the first woman to run a four-minute mile, Kipyegon was in fine form as she headed to Hayward Field in early July. Expectations were high, and Faith didn't disappoint, running 3:48.68 to shave more than a third of a second off her previous world record, set at the 2024 Diamond League meeting in Paris. It was the fifth time that Kipyegon had broken a world record at a Diamond League meeting in three years, and the third season in a row in which she had done so in the 1500m. "I was preparing myself for something special, which was to run under four minutes in a mile and I think I pushed myself, getting better and better toward the 1500, so I knew it was possible to run under 3:49," said Kipyegon. Kenyan stars such as Wanyonyi and Faith Cherotich took on their fiercest rivals producing standout moments in a number of Diamond League contests. Despite kicking off his Diamond League campaign with a third place in Rabat, Morocco after being held off Tshepiso Masalela of Botswana and British Max Burgin, Wanyonyi went ahead to win in Oslo, Stockholm, London (where he beat his longtime rival Marco Arop of Canada), Monaco (where he defeated world indoor champion) of the USA before crowning it with the league's overall trophy at the finals in Zurich. Cherotich, on the other hand, claimed victories in Paris, where she outclassed Olympic gold medallist Peruth Chemutai of Uganda, Oslo (where she defeated Kenyan-born Bahraini Winfred Yavi) before bringing home the trophy. It was also during the Diamond League meets that athletes such as pole vault star Swedish Duplantis and Norwegian 400m hurdler Karsten Warholm smashed records. They shattered records at Stockholm and Oslo, respectively. Kenyan stars also extended the country's dominance at the World Marathon Majors (WMM) and other well-oiled 42km battles and road races. Olympic bronze medalists Benson Kipruto and Hellen Obiri led Kenyan long-distance stars to a historic clean podium sweep in the last WMM of 2025-the New York City Marathon. Kipruto, a former Tokyo Marathon winner, and 2024 London Marathon champion Alexander Mutiso produced a photo finish, which saw the Olympic bronze medallist claim victory as 2021 New York City Marathon winner Albert Korir settled for third place. Their performances were separated by an incredible 16 hundredths of a second. "I'm so happy to have won my fourth win of a World Major Marathon. I think there's no secret in winning and finishing on the podium. Just believe in yourself and have patience and believe in training," Kipruto told New York Road Runners. Obiri led former New York City marathon winners Sharon Lokedi (2022) and Sheila Chepkirui to a 1-2-3 finish, making the 2025 edition a Kenyan affair. "I feel so great. Actually (I) didn't know it was a course record until the finish line and they said that (I had set a course record). I'm so happy to break the course record. My mind was there for a win or to be on the podium," said Obiri. For the first time in the history of the prestigious event, Kenya achieved podium sweeps of both the men's and women's races. Through Sabastian Sawe and Rosemary Wanjiru, the country's big shots also ruled the roost in the Berlin Marathon in September, while Lokedi and John Korir dominated this year's Boston Marathon in April. Sawe ran the fastest time of 2:02:16 at the Berlin Marathon. Some other races nudged Kenyan stars to impressive kicks. For instance, historic performances were recorded at the Valencia Marathon on Sunday 7. London Marathon winners Joyciline Jepkosgei and world champion Peres Jepchirchir produced the fastest and second times of 2:14:00 and 2:14:43 in 2025 while claiming victory and second position, respectively, at the Valencia Marathon. Valencia marathon has propelled athletes like marathon record holder the late Kelvin Kiptum and Sawe to stellar performances. srutto@standardmedia.co.ke

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