Kenyan athletes among the stellar line-up for Oregon Prefontaine Classic

 

 

Kenyan athletes among the stellar line-up for Oregon Prefontaine Classic

Kenya’s gold medalist Beatrice Chebet (L) and silver medalist Kipyegon Faith (R) compete during the Women’s 5000m – Final during Paris 2024 Olympic Games at Stade de France on August 5, 2024 in Paris, France. Mehmet Murat Onel / Anadolu (Photo by Mehmet Murat Onel / ANADOLU / Anadolu via AFP)

 

Kenya’s road to the 2025 World Athletics Championships in Tokyo takes a decisive turn this Saturday in Eugene, Oregon, where the Prefontaine Classic will serve as the national trials for the women’s 5,000m and men’s 10,000m.

 

Leading the women’s line-up is world 5,000m record holder Beatrice Chebet, who headlines a loaded field that includes world 10km road record holder Agnes Ng’etich, former African 10,000m champion Caroline Nyaga, Margaret Akidor, Maurine Jepkoech, Janeth Chepngetich, Sarah Wanjiru, Caroline Kariba, and Hellen Ekalale.

 

After taking bronze in Budapest last year, adding to her silver from Eugene in 2022, Chebet is on a mission to complete the set with gold in Tokyo.

 

“Eugene is about punching the World Championships ticket, that’s the main goal,” said her coach Peter Bii of Asics Iten.

 

Unbeaten in the 5,000m this year, Chebet began her 2025 campaign with a commanding 14:27.12 win in Xiamen, followed by a world-leading 14:03.69 victory at the Rome Golden Gala.

 

Ng’etich, meanwhile, has been one of the most consistent distance runners on both track and road. She set the 2025 women-only 10km world record in Herzogenaurach, Germany, and earlier broke the mixed 10km world record in Valencia last year, clocking 28:46. On Grand slam track this season, she was second in both the 3,000m (8:28.75) and 5,000m (14:49.80) at the Kingston Grand Slam, before winning the 5,000m in 14:25.80 at the Miami Slam and dominating the 3,000m in 8:43.61 at the Philadelphia Slam.

 

Ng’etich’s recent form makes her a serious threat to Chebet, in what is expected to be one of the most competitive races of the meet.

 

Notably absent is reigning world champion Faith Kipyegon, who is expected to receive a wild card to defend her 5,000m title. Fresh off her historic sub-4-minute mile attempt in Paris, Kipyegon is listed in the 1500m at Eugene.

 

In the men’s 10,000m, Kenya will be led by 2022 world silver medallist Stanley Waithaka, former Diamond League trophy winner Nicholas Kipkorir, NCAA champion Ishmael Kipkurui Rokitto, and former World U20 champion Benson Kiplangat.

 

Rokitto, fresh from representing the University of New Mexico, returns to Hayward Field—the same venue where he won the NCAA title last month in 29:07.70. Others in the field include Richard Etir, Mathew Kipsang, Matthew Kipkoech, Edwin Kurgat, Gideon Rono, Samwel Chebolei, and Vincent Langat.

 

World silver medallist Daniel Ebenyo will be absent after officially requesting not to be included.

 

“Ebenyo requested to be left out of the team to Oregon. That letter is in our files,” confirmed an Athletics Kenya official.

 

The Kenyan men will face a stern test from Ethiopia’s Olympic champion Selemon Barega and Berihu Aregawi amongst others.

 

Athletics Kenya rules indicate that the top two athletes in each race will automatically qualify for the World Championships in Tokyo, with the third slot left to the discretion of the Panel of Selectors.