Olympic champions Gabrielle Thomas, Emmanuel Wanyonyi, Ethan Katzberg and Camryn Rogers lead a world-class field for the 2026 Absa Kip Keino Classic.
The Continental Tour Gold meeting held in Nairobi is back for its seventh edition on April 24. This year has more intrigue, Wavelight pacing technology will be used and the event staged at night for the first time.
USA’s Gabby Thomas will be making her debut this year. She arrives in Nairobi having already laid an early marker for her 2026 campaign, with a sprint double at the inaugural Addis Ababa Grand Prix.
Olympic and World champions headline a world class field for the 2026 Absa Kip Keino Classic © Kip Keino Classic
“I’ve kind of checked off a box, which feels nice,” Thomas said. “But there is still so much work to do to maintain that level of excellence.”
The sprinter is expected to double again in the Kenyan capital, testing herself against deep international fields.
“This is my first time running in East Africa, and it’s been incredible,” she added. “I’ve always wanted to come here and race.”
Omanyala eyes statement win on home soil
Kenya’s sprint star Ferdinand Omanyala carries renewed confidence into the men’s 100m. The African record holder recently clocked 9.98 in Addis Ababa, his first sub-10 performance in nearly two years.
“I’m looking forward to going under 10 seconds, of course, but I’m also looking at the win,” he said.
“The last months have been a rollercoaster, but that sub-10 brought back belief, something big is coming.”
He faces a strong field that includes Canada’s Aaron Brown and South Africa’s Gift Leotlela.
In the 200m, Jamaica’s Bryan Levell heads into the race as favourite. The 22-year-old has set a sub 20-second target as a benchmark for his season. He lines up against a competitive field including Nigeria’s Chidi Okezie, American Kyree King and South Africa’s Sinesipho Dambile.
Canadian powerhouses lead field events
Canada’s Olympic and World champion Camryn Rogers leads the women’s hammer field. The 26-year-old is off to a great start this season, setting a new national record of 81.13m in Austin, Texas.
“I started the year on fire, already an area record and a personal best. That shows the work we’ve been putting in,” Rogers said.
“When I step into the circle, it’s about trusting the work and focusing on one throw at a time.”
Rogers will defend her Kip Keino Classic title infront of what she describes as one of the most energetic crowds of the circuit.
“I feel very welcome here,” she added. “The crowd is incredible and the energy really comes through.”
As in 2025, Canadians could once again sweep the hammer throw titles at the Classic. Olympic and World champion Katzberg will also be defending his title. Meanwhile, African champion Ese Brume of Nigeria is among the favourites in the women’s long jump field.
In the javelin, home favourite Julius Yego is set to draw one of the loudest receptions in a stacked field that includes 2016 Olympic champion Germany’s Thomas Rohler, Belgian record holder Timothy Herman and Finland’s Oliver Helander.
Middle-distance spotlight on Kenyan stars
in the two-lap race, world champion Lilian Odira begins her 2026 campaign on home soil. The 27-year-old is a mother of two boys and says racing in front of her family adds emotional weight to her season opener.
“I’m happy to be racing in front of my family here in Kenya. That support means everything and gives me extra motivation,” Odira said.
Olympic and world 800m champion Emmanuel Wanyonyi steps up to the 1500m as part of his endurance build-up. He takes on fellow Kenyan and 2019 world champion Timothy Cheruiyot, in an exciting matchup.
Over the barriers and water jump, the Serem brothers, Amos and Edmund lead the Kenyan charge alongside Olympic bronze medallist Abraham Kibiwott.
Order of events local time (GMT +3)
400m Hurdles Women – 6:04pm
Hammer Throw Men – 6:10pm
1500m Men – 6:14pm
Long Jump Women – 6:22pm
100m Women – 6:28pm
3000m Steeplechase Men – 6:35pm
200m Men – 6:52pm
800m Women – 6:59pm
400m Men – 7:09pm
1500m Women – 7:17pm
800m Men – 7:29pm
400m Women – 7:40pm
100m Men – 7:52pm
SOURCE: ATHLETICS KENYA
