Kenya’s rising middle-distance star Dorcus Ewoi announced her arrival to the 2026 indoor season in spectacular fashion at the New Balance Indoor Grand Prix in Boston on 24 January, blasting to victory in the women’s 1500m with a world-leading personal best of 4:01.22.
A performance that shook the clock
Ewoi’s run was more than a win; it was a statement. Her time shaved a sliver off her previous best and left her just 0.05 seconds shy of the Kenyan indoor record of 4:01.17, set by Beatrice Chepkoech in 2019.
That razor-thin margin places Ewoi as the second-fastest Kenyan woman ever indoors over the 1500m, a milestone that cements her as a genuine force on the global stage.
National pride and a viral celebration
Team Kenya took to X on 25 January to celebrate the feat, hailing Ewoi’s world-leading mark and lauding her rapid ascent. The message captured the mood back home: pride, excitement, and the sense that a new chapter is unfolding in Kenyan middle-distance running.
Mentorship, momentum, and a growing legacy
This triumph builds on a breakout 2025 outdoor season that saw Ewoi claim silver at the World Championships in Tokyo. That podium finish came under the wing of compatriot Faith Kipyegon, whose mentorship helped steady Ewoi through the pressure of global competition.
“I wanted to go; I was fourth. Leo Faith, sijui nitalala aje.”
Kipyegon’s calm encouragement “Enda lala, enda lala na uweke kwa kichwa hivi…” — became part of Ewoi’s learning curve, a reminder to breathe and believe.
Ewoi’s Boston victory is the next chapter in that story: a young athlete translating experience and guidance into blistering speed and composure.
What comes next
With the indoor season now underway, Ewoi’s performance injects momentum into #TeamKenya’s campaign and raises expectations for the months ahead. If Boston was any indication, Dorcus Ewoi is not just chasing records; she’s poised to rewrite them.
