Stars set to shine as Ulinzi Sports Complex set to hosts AK National trials

After weeks of sizzling action in the regional and uniformed forces championships, the stage is finally set for the 2025 Athletics Kenya National Championships, which will get underway on Wednesday, June 25, at the Ulinzi Sports Complex in Lang’ata.

With national titles, bragging rights and tickets to the World Championships in Tokyo up for grabs—thanks to the recent World Athletics certification of the Ulinzi track—the stakes couldn’t be higher.

Headlining the meet is Kenya Prisons’ two-lap sensation Lilian Odira, who returns to the venue where she stunned the field to claim the national 800m crown last year in 2:02.21.

She led home World U20 champion Sarah Moraa (2:02.36) and Mweni Mwikali (2:03.24) in a thrilling blanket finish.

It was the National Championships which opened the doors for the 26-year-old to claim her maiden continental medal at the African Championships in Douala, Cameroon, as well as a maiden Olympic appearance in Paris.

During the Prison Championships on June 5, Odira exerted her dominance over the two-lap race, clocking 2:08.89, ahead of Jacinta Abese (2:10.09) and Penina Wangari (2:12.19). Odira said that her main focus would be on sharpening her speed.

"From here, I’m headed straight to training where my coach and I will be working on my speed, as I've already built up and my endurance has already been completed," Odira said.

In the men’s race walk, African silver medallist Samuel Gathimba will be gunning for back-to-back national titles after clocking 1:26:57 last year.

In last year's edition, he led Haristone Wanyonyi (1:27:08) and Stephen Ndangiri (1:31:28), both eager to wrest the crown from the Prisons veteran.

The women’s 5,000m is also shaping up to be a blockbuster, pitting Kenya Prisons’ Loice Chemnung against London Marathon champion Joyciline Jepkosgei of the Kenya Defence Forces.

Jepkosgei claimed the KDF on June 12, stopping the clock in 15:23.6 ahead of Daisilah Jerono (15:28.8) and Esther Chemtai (15:36.1).

Meanwhile, Chemnung claimed the Prison's title in 15:18.0 ahead of Rebecca Mwangi (16:02.2) and Sheila Chepkirui (16:14.0).

Chemnung, who trains in Iten, confirmed she will sit with her coach to tweak her programme to focus more on speed. "I am going to sit with my coach and adjust my programme to focus on speed."

Another showdown looms in the men’s 10,000m, where World silver medallist Daniel Simiu (NPS) is set to clash with reigning national champion Roncer Konga (KDF).

Last year, Konga clocked 28:33.03 to claim the national crown ahead of Joseph Kiptum (28:33.97) and Stanley Njihia (28:34.72).

However, at the KDF championships on June 12, Konga was forced to settle for second place after clocking 28:37.81 behind Wesley Yego (28:37.53).

Simiu, meanwhile, won the NPS championships on June 2, clocking 28:55.25, well ahead of Joseph Kiptum (29:06.37) and Solomon Chumba (29:07.27).

In the one-lap sprint, national 400m silver medallist Kelvin Kipkorir will be hoping to go one better this year after finishing second in 45.25 behind Kelvin Tauta (45.09) and just ahead of Brian Tinega (45.32) in 2024.

Meanwhile, rising sprint queen Mercy Oketch is another athlete to watch in the women's 400m. At the KDF championships, Oketch blazed to a 200m victory, clocking 23.10. She beat Delisha Etyang (23.97) and Faith Bukachi (24.37).