Ebenyo and Senchura headline fierce battle for Glasgow 10,000m slots
A thrilling contest is expected in the men’s 10,000m race at this weekend’s Athletics Kenya National Championships and Commonwealth Games Trials.
Experienced campaigner Daniel Ebenyo will square off against rising youngster Silas Senchura in the race for Glasgow qualification starting on Thursday, June 18, to Saturday, June 20, 2026, at the Nyayo National Stadium
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The championships will serve as the primary selection event for the Commonwealth Games team. Athletes who win their respective events and satisfy all qualification requirements will automatically secure places on the national squad. Any additional slots will be determined by the selection committee.
Among the most anticipated events of the three-day competition is the men’s 10,000m, where Ebenyo hopes to reaffirm his status as one of Kenya’s top distance runners while fending off challenges from an emerging generation led by Senchura.
Ebenyo arrives at the trials in excellent form after producing a memorable performance at the Chicago Half Marathon on June 7, 2026. The 30-year-old shattered the course record with a winning time of 1:00:39, using a devastating late surge to defeat Americans Futsum Zienasellassie, who finished in 1:01:37, and Bob Liking, who crossed the line in 1:01:55.
That victory signaled a return to the level that previously established Ebenyo among the world’s elite long-distance athletes.
The Kenyan star is also motivated by unfinished business at the Commonwealth Games. After earning silver in the men’s 10,000m at the 2022 Games in Birmingham, he will be eager to return and challenge for gold in Glasgow.
During the Birmingham edition, Ebenyo clocked 27:11.26 to finish second behind Uganda’s Jacob Kiplimo, who secured the title in 27:09.19.
His 2026 season has been a mix of strong performances and setbacks. He began the year positively by claiming bronze at the World Cross Country Championships in Tallahassee, Florida, on January 10. Ebenyo recorded 28:45, finishing behind Kiplimo, who won in 28:18, and Ethiopia’s Berihu Aregawi, who posted 28:36.
However, he later struggled at the Sirikwa Classic Cross Country Tour, where he settled for fifth place in the senior men’s 10km race with a time of 29:57.
His difficulties continued at the New York Half Marathon on March 15, where he finished 13th after clocking 1:00:50.
The distance specialist has since regained momentum. He secured second place at the BOLDERBoulder 10km road race in 29:06 before delivering his record-breaking triumph in Chicago.
Standing between Ebenyo and victory this weekend is Senchura, one of Kenya’s fastest-rising distance runners.
Sencura’s exploits
The 20-year-old heads into the trials buoyed by a podium finish at the African Senior Athletics Championships in Accra, Ghana. Senchura earned bronze after posting 28:32.66, trailing Kenya’s Kevin Chesang (28:30.44) and Ethiopia’s Hagos Eyob (28:30.57).
His recent performances have strengthened his reputation as a serious contender capable of challenging the country’s established stars.
While much of the spotlight will focus on Ebenyo and Senchura, several other athletes could influence the outcome. Weldon Langat, John Mwaniki, Victor Kimosop, Emmanuel Kipsang and Joseph Karanja are all expected to be in the mix as they pursue Commonwealth Games selection and national honours.
