- Three Kenyans qualified for the 2025 World Athletics Championships after finishing fourth and fifth in the 10,000m at the Prefontaine Classic.
- The Eugene Diamond League meet took place on Saturday, July 5, 2025, at Hayward Field in Eugene, United States.
- The two athletes are Edwin Kurgat Ishmael Rokitto Kipkurui and Kiplagat Benson.
Edwin Kurgat, Ishmael Rokitto Kipkurui, and Kiplagat Benson are the three Kenyan athletes who have secured qualification for the 2025 World Athletics Championships after finishing fourth, fifth, and sixth respectively in the 10,000m at the 2025 Prefontaine Classic.
With the qualifying standard for the World Championships in Tokyo set at 27:00.00, Kurgat clocked an impressive 26:46.35, securing fourth place at the Hayward Field in Eugene, United States on Saturday July 5, 2025.
Kipkurui followed closely in fifth with a time of 26:47.72, while Kiplagat, who had led much of the race, finished sixth with 26:50.00.
The trio is now poised to represent Kenya at the 20th edition of the World Championships, scheduled to take place in Tokyo, Japan, from September 13 to 21, 2025.
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They aim to restore Kenya’s legacy in the 10,000m, a title last claimed by a Kenyan when Charles Kamathi won it in 2001.
He followed in the footsteps of legends Paul Kipkoech and Moses Tanui, who captured gold in 1987 and 1991 respectively.
Ethiopian sweep at Prefontaine
The 2025 Prefontaine Classic was dominated by Ethiopian runners, who swept the podium.
Biniam Mehary won the race with a world-leading time of 26:43.82, dethroning Kenya’s Kipkurui, who had previously led with a 26:50.21.
Aregawi Berihu clinched second place with 26:43.84, while Selemon Barega followed in third at 26:44.13.
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Kenya had a total of 10 athletes competing in the race, all vying for the coveted three qualifying spots. Stanley Waithaka Mburu finished seventh, Nicholas Kipkorir came eighth, and Samwel Chebolei Masai took ninth.
Amos Kipkemoi was 11th, followed by Matthew Kipkoech Kipruto in 13th, Gideon Kipkertich Rono, Robert Kiprop Koech in 16th, and Mathew Kipchumba Kipsang, who rounded out the Kenyan contingent in 17th place.
Ishmael Kipkurui signs Nike deal
Elsewhere, after clocking a personal best and finishing fifth in the 10,000m at the Prefontaine Classic 2025, 20-year-old Ishmael Rokitto Kipkurui returned to Eugene less than a month after winning the NCAA 10,000m championship at Hayward Field but this time with a freshly signed Nike contract to his name.