The Kenyan Olympic Committee has finalized its shortlist of potential marathon competitors for the Paris Olympics, narrowing it down from 10 to six athletes. Among them are two-time Olympic champion Eliud Kipchoge and reigning Olympic champion Peres Jepchirchir.
Unlike the United States, which uses an Olympic Trials Race to determine its Olympic squad, Athletics Kenya relies on a committee to assess World Marathon Major performances and recent races in order to select their teams.
In December, a provisional list of 10 men and 10 women was announced.
The performance of athletes in this year’s spring marathons will be crucial for Athletics Kenya’s final selection.
Who Made The Women’s List?
Hellen Obiri
Age: 34
World Athletics Profile
Marathon: 2:21:38 (Boston, 2023)
Half Marathon: 1:04:22 (Ras Al Khaimah, 2017)
Highlights:
🥇 2023 Boston Marathon: 1st
🥇 2023 New York City Marathon: 1st
🥈 Two-time Olympic silver medalist; 2016, 2021 (5,000m)
Peres Jepchirchir
Age: 30
World Athletics Profile
Marathon: 2:17:16 (Valencia, 2020)
Half Marathon: 1:05:06 (Ras Al Khaimah, 2017)
Highlights:
🥉 2023 London Marathon: 3rd
🥇 2022 Boston Marathon: 1st
🥇 2021 Olympic Marathon: 1st
🥇 2021 New York City Marathon: 1st
Sharon Lokedi
Age: 30
World Athletics Profile
Marathon: 2:23:23 (New York, 2022)
Half Marathon: 1:08:14 (New York, 2022)
Highlights:
🥉 2023 New York City Marathon: 3rd
🥇 2022 New York City Marathon: 1st
Rosemary Wanjiru
Age: 29
World Athletics Profile
Marathon: 2:16:14 (Tokyo, 2024)
Half Marathon: 1:05:34 (Ras Al Khaimah, 2020)
Highlights:
🥈 2024 Tokyo Marathon: 2nd
🥇 2023 Tokyo Marathon: 1st
🥈 2022 Berlin Marathon: 2nd
Ruth Chepngetich
Age: 29
World Athletics Profile
Marathon: 2:14:18 (Chicago, 2022)
Half Marathon: 1:04:02 (Istabul, 2021)
Highlights:
🥇 2023 Nagoya Women’s Marathon: 1st
🥈 2023 Chicago Marathon: 2nd
🥇 2022 Nagoya Women’s Marathon: 1st
🥇 2022 Chicago Marathon: 1st
🥇 2021 Chicago Marathon: 1st
Bridid Kosgei
Age: 30
World Athletics Profile
Marathon: 2:14:04 (Chicago, 2019)
Half Marathon: 1:04:28 (South Shields, 2019)
Highlights:
🥇 2024 EDP Lisbon Marathon: 1st
🥇 2023 Abu Dhabi Marathon: 1st
🥇 2022 Tokyo Marathon: 1st
🥈 2021 Olympic Marathon: 2nd
Joycilline Jepkosgei, Sheila Chepkirui, Judith Jeptum Korir, and Seley Chepyego Kaptich were not selected for the women’s team.
Who Made The Men’s List?
Eliud Kipchoge
Age: 39
World Athletics Profile
Marathon: 2:01:09 (Berlin, 2022)
Half Marathon: 59:25 (Lille, 2012)
Highlights:
🥇 2023 Berlin Marathon: 1st
🥇 2022 Tokyo Marathon: 1st
🥇 2022 Berlin Marathon: 1st
🥇 2021 Olympic Marathon: 1st
🥇 2016 Olympic Marathon: 1st
Benson Kipruto
Age: 33
World Athletics Profile
Marathon: 2:02:16 (Tokyo, 2024)
Half marathon: 1:00:06 (Praha, 2020)
Highlights:
🥇 2024 Tokyo Marathon: 1st
🥉 2023 Boston Marathon: 3rd
🥈 2023 Chicago Marathon: 2nd
🥇 2022 Chicago Marathon: 1st
Alexander Mutiso Munyao
Age: 27
World Athletics Profile
Marathon: 2:03:11 (Valencia, 2023)
Half Marathon: 57:59 (Valencia, 2020)
Highlights:
🥇 2023 Prague Marathon: 1st
🥈 2023 Valencia Marathon: 2nd
🥈 2022 Valencia Marathon: 2nd
Timothy Kiplagat
Age: 30
World Athletics Profile
Marathon: 2:02:55 (Tokyo, 2024)
Half Marathon: 1:02:26 (Ústí nad Labem, 2018)
Highlights:
🥈 2024 Tokyo Marathon: 2nd
🥈 2023 Rotterdam Marathon: 2nd
🥇 2022 Melbourne Marathon: 1st
🥇 2022 Abu Dhabi Marathon: 1st
Vincent Ngetich
Age: 25
World Athletics Profile
Marathon: 2:03:13 (Berlin, 2023)
Half Marathon: 59:09 (København, 2022)
Highlights
🥉 2024 Tokyo Marathon: 3rd
🥈 2023 Berlin Marathon: 2nd
Evans Chebet, despite his impressive resume, including wins in the 2022 and 2023 Boston Marathons and the 2022 New York City Marathon, has not been included in Athletics Kenya’s final list. He is preparing for his third consecutive win at the Boston Marathon on April 15th.
Bernard Kiprop Koech, Geoffrey Kamworor, Cyprian Kotut, Amos Kipruto, and Titus Kipruto were not chosen for the men’s team.
Alexander Mutiso Munyao was added after he ran a time of 2:03:11 in Valencia.
What Are Eliud Kipchoge’s Chances Of Selection?
Kipchoge, the most renowned marathoner globally, has the opportunity to make history by becoming the first person to win three Olympic gold medals in the marathon.
Despite finishing 10th at the Tokyo Marathon in 2:06:50, over four minutes behind winner Benson Kipruto, Kipchoge remains among the shortlisted six athletes for Kenya. At 39 years old, Paris would mark his fifth Olympic appearance.
