- Africa’s fastest man, Ferdinand Omanyala, has set his sights on the prize at the Kip Keino Classic 2026, aiming for the world lead as well as a sub-10 run in 100m.
- The Kip Keino Classic is scheduled for Friday, April 24, 2026, at Nyayo Stadium.
- This year’s Kip Keino Classic promises an unforgettable spectacle, as it will be the first edition held under floodlights from 4:00pm to 9:00pm EAT.
The stage is set for the Kip Keino Classic World Athletics Continental Tour Gold 2026, and Africa’s fastest man, Ferdinand Omanyala, is here to handle business with his eyes locked on the world lead.
This year’s Kip Keino Classic promises an unforgettable experience on Friday, April 24, as it will be the first edition held under floodlights, taking place at Nyayo Stadium from 4:00pm to 9:00pm EAT.
In addition, several upgrades have been made, including a new track, the introduction of wavelight technology, a star-studded lineup, and a shift in the event program from afternoon to evening.
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Omanyala targets world lead at the Kip Keino Classic 2026
Home favourite Ferdinand Omanyala returns to the meet where he set his African 100m record of 9.77 in 2021.
He says he and the event are age mates, and he hopes to put on a show this Friday.
“Kip Keino means a lot. We are age mates with Kip Keino, just a year older than me. But it’s through Kip Keino that I’ve really risen through the ranks. I’ve run a world lead, I think, four times at the Kip Keino Classic,” Omanyala told the SportPesa Blog.
Omanyala ran 9.98 to win in Addis Ababa last weekend, and the Nyayo crowd will be roaring him on as he tests his speed against international challengers such as Canada’s Aaron Brown, USA’s Brandon Hicklin, and South Africa’s Gift Leotlela.
Despite the challenge ahead, he is aiming for another sub-10 and the world lead.
“Going into this event, especially based on the last two seasons, we haven’t had the results we wanted. So going back, I’m a bit nervous but high in spirit because of the rhythm I got from last weekend. I’m looking forward to going under 10 seconds again at home, and then, you never know, we might get a world lead.”
ALSO READ: Africa’s fastest man Ferdinand Omanyala storms to sub-10 100m victory at Addis Ababa Grand Prix
Upbeat, the 30-year-old reflected on his journey and his performance last weekend in Ethiopia, saying he needed the rhythm and has finally found it after overcoming an injury spell last season. He’ll be riding that momentum from last week.
“It was a great feeling. Looking back, the past months have been tough. Sometimes you wake up and don’t feel like going back to training, but you push through and try to improve. At times the rhythm wasn’t there, but I appreciate the work that’s been done behind the scenes. Coming back from an injury last season was tough, but I was praying for momentum, and I’m glad we’ve found it,” he explained.
As one of the core event of the day, Omanyala will be aiming to deliver gold to the home crowd while also bouncing back after last year’s Kip Keino edition did not go his way, where he finished third at Ulinzi Stars behind Australian sprinter Lachlan Kennedy, who clinched gold, while Bayanda Walaza of South Africa came second.
2026 Kip Keino Classic schedule
Local time in Nairobi (GMT+3)
- 1:40 PM – Javelin Throw Men (Discretionary Event)
- 2:12 PM – 800m U20 Men
- 2:26 PM – 800m U20 Women
- 2:40 PM – 3000m Steeplechase U20 Men
- 2:57 PM – Shot Put Men (National Event)
- 3:02 PM – 3000m U20 Men
- 3:24 PM – 3000m U20 Women
- 3:45 PM – Hammer Throw Men (Core Event)
- 3:48 PM – 10000m Men (National Event)
- 4:35 PM – 400m Hurdles Men (Core Event)
- 4:45 PM – 5000m Women (National Event)
- 5:09 PM – 3000m Steeplechase Women (Discretionary Event)
- 5:38 PM – 5000m Men (Discretionary Event)
- 6:04 PM – 400m Hurdles Women (Core Event)
- 6:10 PM – Hammer Throw Men (Core Event)
- 6:14 PM – 1500m Men (Discretionary Event)
- 6:22 PM – Long Jump Women (Discretionary Event)
- 6:28 PM – 100m Women (Core Event)
- 6:35 PM – 3000m Steeplechase Men (Discretionary Event)
- 6:52 PM – 200m Men (Core Event)
- 6:59 PM – 800m Women (Core Event)
- 7:09 PM – 400m Men (Discretionary Event)
- 7:17 PM – 1500m Women (Discretionary Event)
- 7:29 PM – 800m Men (Core Event)
- 7:40 PM – 400m Women (Discretionary Event)
- 7:52 PM – 100m Men (Core Event)