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Wanyonyi targets fourth Kip Keino title as Serem and Dalilah join elite lineup
05th April, 2026 08:53 AM
A new lineup of both Kenyan and international athletics stars has been confirmed for the Kip Keino Classic scheduled for Friday, April 24, 2026, featuring world 800m champion Emmanuel Wanyonyi and Olympic 400m hurdles gold medallist Dalilah Muhammad among the headline names.
Meet director Barnaba Korir has explained that this year’s competition will showcase a strong group of Kenyan talents spearheaded by Africa’s fastest sprinter, Ferdinand Omanyala, together with world 800m champion Emmanuel Wanyonyi.
Excitement builds
“We are excited to confirm an exciting 2026 edition lineup that will include our own Ferdinand Omanyala, Timothy Cheruiyot, Julius Yego, Emmanuel Wanyonyi,” Korir told Athletics Kenya website on Sunday, April 5, 2026, ahead of the event.
He further mentioned that several top international competitors are also expected to participate, promising a thrilling evening of high-level athletics in Nairobi.
“We also have international stars, including Dalilah Muhammed, Muzala Samukonga, Ethan Katzberg, and Thomas Rohler, among other top stars,” he added.
The Kip Keino Classic is expected to play a key role in Wanyonyi’s preparations as he builds toward the global athletics calendar in 2026. The 21-year-old has previously enjoyed great success at the event, winning the 800m race in 2022 (1:45.01), 2023 (1:43.32), and 2024 (1:43.57).
In this year’s edition, Emmanuel Wanyonyi will step up to the 1,500m race, where he is set to compete against Timothy Cheruiyot, Jonah Koech, Vincent Keter, and Abel Kipsang. Meanwhile, the men’s 3,000m steeplechase will feature defending champion Edmund Serem, who will face stiff opposition from two-time winner Abraham Kibiwot (2022 and 2024) and Amos Serem.
The 5,000m race will be led by 2023 World Cross Country U20 champion Ishmael Rokitto, joined by Cornelius Kemboi and Denis Kipkemoi, as they line up against Ethiopian athletes Abdisa Fayisa and Fasika Ayele.
Overseas competitors
Among the overseas competitors confirmed is newly crowned world 200m bronze medallist Bryan Levell. He will be joined in the 200m race by South Africa’s Sinesipho Dambile, American Kyree King, and Nigeria’s Chidi Okezie.
The men’s 400m contest will feature Olympic bronze medallist Muzala Samukonga competing against South Africa’s Zakithi Nene. In the sprint events, Ferdinand Omanyala will challenge Canada’s Aron Brown, American Brandon Hicklin, and South Africa’s Leotlela Gift.
Korir also emphasised the historical importance of this year’s edition, noting that the event will be staged at night for the very first time. “This year marks a major milestone. For the first time, the Kip Keino will be held under the floodlights of the Nyayo Stadium just like how Diamond Leagues are hosted,” he said.
He urged fans of athletics to turn up in large numbers at Nyayo Stadium to support both local and visiting athletes. “We call on our fans to come out in large numbers to make it another successful edition of the Kip Keino Classic,” he said.
