Kenya’s brightest young athletes took center stage at the Nairobi Under 18/20 Pre-Trials. With eyes on upcoming national and international championships, the rising stars delivered standout performances, showcasing the depth of the country’s next generation of athletic excellence.
In the men’s Under-20 3000m, Philip Ntuluma led a Westlands sub-county sweep in 8:54.7, followed by Lawrence Kinuthia in 9:02.1. Kevin Lihanda cruised to victory in the Under-18 3000m with a solo 9:28.1 run.
Clare Jeruto (Embakasi) won the U18 women’s 3000m in 9:49.3, while Sheilla Jepngetich claimed the U20 title in 9:56.6.
Emmanuel Lemiso (Westlands), who won the Under-18 1500m in 3:58.2, credited his season’s buildup for his current form.
“I have performed well this year, where I ran well in the recent cross country series and also ventured in the 3000m steeplechase at the recent AK weekend meetings,” said Lemiso, now a student at Nairobi’s Raila Education Centre after transferring from Nakuru County.
He plans to compete in the 3000m steeplechase at the junior trials and the 1500m at the senior trials.
Paul Mingaite, who finished second in the Under-18 1500m in 4:11.3, shared similar ambitions.
“I usually race 1500m and 3000m, races which I intend to compete in, if they are spread on different days,” said Mingaite, who discovered his talent at the primary school games back home in Kilgoris. He has since benefited from the Athletics Kenya U20 holiday camps, which he says have shaped his athletic future.
In the Under-18 800m, Eliya Lekishon ran a smart race to win in 1:57.5. Lang’ata’s Kereya Matampashi bagged a sprint double in the U20 200m (23.0) and 100m (12.3), while Kevin Madegwa (Kasarani) followed in 12.6. Joshua Sanatri won the 400m in 52.1.
As the meeting concluded, Korir called for unity. “ Athletics is the only thing that remains clean and supportive. That’s why we call ourselves family. But are we family, or are we just kidding ourselves? Let’s be a real family.”
“If there’s a problem, we engage, solve it, and move forward. Athletics is for all of us and it’s the only one making us happy.”
BY ROBERT KIBET-A Nairobi-based freelance Journalist
