Kenyan athletes Ruth Chepngetich, Benson Kipruto, and Agnes Jebet Ngetich have been nominated for the prestigious Out of Stadium Athlete of the Year award in 2024, underscoring Kenya’s strength in distance running.
The nominations, part of the World Athletics Awards 2024, highlight standout performances in marathon, cross-country, and road racing events globally, including the Paris 2024 Olympics and the World Athletics Cross Country Championships.
Kenya’s Top Contenders:
Ruth Chepngetich is a dominant figure in marathon running, securing her nomination after an extraordinary year that saw her set a new world marathon record. Her triumph at the 2024 Chicago Marathon further demonstrated her prowess, as she battled challenging conditions to clinch the title with a record-breaking performance.
Agnes Jebet Ngetich enters the list with remarkable achievements in the shorter distances. She broke the world records in both the 5km and 10km road races and set the world lead in the half marathon. Her performances have established her as one of the year’s most consistent and electrifying athletes.
Benson Kipruto’s marathon consistency and resilience earned him a place among the men’s nominees. His impressive Tokyo Marathon win, combined with an Olympic bronze in Paris, showcases his competitive edge in world-class fields and his readiness for top-tier races.
Ethiopian Athletes Dominating in Both Categories:
Kenya’s neighbors Ethiopia are represented by some of their finest runners, with Sutume Asefa Kebede and Tigist Ketema in the Women’s category, and Yomif Kejelcha and Tamirat Tola in the Men’s category.
Sutume Asefa Kebede’s Tokyo Marathon victory and her place as the holder of the second-fastest marathon time this year make her one of the strongest marathon runners of 2024. Tigist Ketema, who claimed the Berlin and Dubai Marathon titles, further asserts Ethiopia’s presence in the marathon scene, adding depth to the country’s roster of road-race champions.
In the Men’s category, Yomif Kejelcha has redefined expectations with his world half marathon record and 10km world lead, pushing the boundaries of long-distance running. Olympic marathon champion Tamirat Tola also stands out, setting an Olympic record and earning a place on the list through sheer grit and talent, adding an additional layer of excellence for Ethiopia.
International Field Adds to the Challenge
The nominees in both categories showcase international diversity. In the Women’s field, Dutch athlete Sifan Hassan, the Olympic marathon champion and record-holder, joins Chepngetich, Kebede, Ketema, and Ngetich. The Men’s field includes Ecuador’s Brian Daniel Pintado, the Olympic 20km race walk champion, and Uganda’s Jacob Kiplimo, who took gold at the World Cross Country Championships.
Voting for the Out of Stadium Athlete of the Year finalists is now open on World Athletics’ social media platforms and will close on November 3, allowing fans worldwide to support their favorite athletes.
The nominees for 2024 Women’s Out of Stadium Athlete of the Year are (in alphabetical order):
Sutume Asefa Kebede, Ethiopia
• Tokyo Marathon winner
• No.2 marathon time of 2024
Ruth Chepngetich, Kenya
• World marathon record
• Chicago Marathon winner
Sifan Hassan, Netherlands
• Olympic marathon champion
• Olympic record
Tigist Ketema, Ethiopia
• Berlin Marathon winner
• Dubai Marathon winner
Agnes Jebet Ngetich, Kenya
• World 5km and 10km records
• World half marathon lead
The nominees for 2024 Men’s Out of Stadium Athlete of the Year are (in alphabetical order):
Yomif Kejelcha, Ethiopia
• World half marathon record
• World 10km lead
Jacob Kiplimo, Uganda
• World Cross Country Championships gold
• Valencia 10km winner
Benson Kipruto, Kenya
• Tokyo Marathon winner
• Olympic marathon bronze
Brian Daniel Pintado, Ecuador
• Olympic 20km race walk champion
• Olympic marathon race walk mixed relay silver
Tamirat Tola, Ethiopia
• Olympic marathon champion
• Olympic record
The vote to determine the Out of Stadium Athlete of the Year finalists is now open on World Athletics social media platforms. It will close on 3 November.
