Kenya’s athletics scene in 2025 will be remembered for breaking records, claiming historic victories, and showcasing a new generation of world-class talent.
From the spotlight of Tokyo’s World Athletics Championships to the fast roads of Valencia, Kenyan athletes consistently set the pace, redefining excellence in middle- and long-distance running both on track and on the road.
The pinnacle of the year came during the World Athletics Championships in Tokyo, held from 13–21 September, where Kenya secured second place on the medal table with 11 medals: seven gold, two silver, and two bronze.
In an unprecedented achievement, Kenyan women won every distance event—from the 800 m to the marathon—for the first time in the championships’ 42-year history.
Lilian Odira opened the campaign with a decisive victory in the 800 m, while Faith Kipyegon clinched her third consecutive 1,500 m world title with a time of 3:52.02, guiding Dorcas Ewoi to silver in a Kenyan 1–2 finish.
Faith Cherotich, at only 21, dominated the women’s 3,000 m steeplechase, and Beatrice Chebet pulled off a rare championship double, winning both the 5,000 m and 10,000 m races. Peres Jepchirchir then sealed the sweep with marathon gold in Tokyo, cementing six Kenyan women atop the podium—an accomplishment that stunned the global athletics community and earned headlines celebrating “Kenya’s unstoppable queens.”
A collage of Kenyan athletes Faith Kipyegon (L), Emmanuel Wanyonyi and Beatrice Chebet. PHOTO/CollageOn the men’s side, performances were equally impressive. Emmanuel Wanyonyi ended the season unbeaten with a win in the men’s 800 m in Tokyo and was later crowned World Athletics Male Track Athlete of the Year in Monaco in December.
Reynold Cheruiyot earned silver in the men’s 1,500 m, while 21-year-old Edmund Serem secured bronze in the steeplechase and was named Male Rising Star of the Year, signaling Kenya’s bright future in middle-distance events.
Marathon runners also dominated international roads. Sabastian Sawe produced a remarkable season, winning the London Marathon in April and the Berlin Marathon in September, setting course records in both events. He earned the World Athletics Male Out-of-Stadium Athlete of the Year award for his efforts.
Alexander Mutiso Munyao joined him on the London podium with a third-place finish, and in December, Joyciline Jepkosgei closed the year in style by breaking the Valencia Marathon course record with 2:14:00—the fastest women’s marathon time of 2025—proving that Kenya’s dominance on the roads remains unchallenged.
Kenyan athletes excelled in other arenas as well. At the Summer Deaflympics in Tokyo in November, Ian Wambui led a historic Kenyan 1–2–3 finish in the men’s 5,000 m, breaking both Deaflympics and deaf world records with 13:52.83.
James Musembi and Nelson Kipkorir completed the podium, while Viola Jelimo earned bronze in the women’s race.
Back home, the Athletics Kenya National Championships and World Championship trials in June and July brought fierce competition. Ferdinand Omanyala, Africa’s fastest man, reinforced his sprint dominance by winning the national 100 m title.
Young talents such as Brian Komen and steeplechaser Amos Serem challenged veteran athletes, reflecting the strong pipeline of Kenyan running talent emerging from the Rift Valley.
Kenyan athlete Beatrice Chebet competes at a previous edition of the Prefontaine Classic in Eugene Oregon PHOTO/ Citius MagFaith Kipyegon’s global success made her Kenya’s most searched personality of 2025, according to Google Trends, highlighting national pride in her third consecutive 1,500 m world title.
Beatrice Chebet was voted Kenya’s Female Long-Distance Athlete of the Year, while Emmanuel Wanyonyi edged Ferdinand Omanyala to win the male award, reflecting their outstanding achievements.
In summary, 2025 will go down as one of Kenya’s most remarkable athletics years. Seven gold medals at the world championships, multiple global athlete-of-the-year accolades, marathon course records, and a perfect sweep of women’s distance events mark this as a historic season.
Kenya’s athletics legacy continues to evolve, driven by a fearless generation of women and promising men ready to carry the torch forward.
