Athletics Kenya to use US event to choose teams for World Athletics Championships

Athletics Kenya (AK) has announced that it will use this year's Prefontaine Classic event in Eugene, Oregon in the United States as the qualifier for the 5,000m Women and 10,000 metres Men's races for the World Athletics Championships.

The Prefontaine Classic will this year be held on Saturday, 5 July 2025, at the Hayward Field in Eugene. It's recognised as one of the core races in the Diamond League calendar and Athletics Kenya will allow it's best athletes fight for a place at the World Championships during the event.

It will be the second consecutive year that AK is using the Diamond League to select teams for major championships after selecting the 10,000m team for both men and women for the Paris Olympics at last year's Prefontaine Classic.

"Kenya has a rich history and connection with this prestigious event where several of our athletes have, over the years, shone and etched their names in record books with memorable performances," AK’s statement read Monday.

"AK is grateful to the organising committee of the Prefontaine Classic for providing us with this competitive environment and world-class facilities to conduct this exercise."

Kenya's return to the Classic is a well-thought-out idea as Beatrice Chebet set the new world record of 28:54.14 in the 10,000m during last year’s event. She went on to win both the 5,000 and 10,000m at the Olympics in Paris.

Kenya last won a World Athletics gold medal in the 10,000m men in 2001 in Edmonton, Canada, through Charles Kamathi, while Faith Kipyegon bagged gold in 5,000m at the 2023 Budapest World Athletics Championships.

AK further clarified that the rest of the trials for long-distance race teams fighting for a place at September's Tokyo championships will be conducted in Nairobi during the national trials set for 14 to 16 July 2025.

The World Championships will take place from September 13 to 21.