Africa-Press – Kenya. World 1,500m bronze medallist Reynold Cheruiyot is gearing up for a high-octane start to his season at the Kip Keino Classic on April 24, with his sights set on dipping below his personal best in the 1,500m.
The 21-year-old owns a lifetime best of 3:29.91, clocked at last year’s Diamond League final in Zurich, where he finished second behind Niels Laros (3:29.20).
Cheruiyot has confirmed he will open his 2026 track campaign on home soil at the Nyayo National Stadium, where the one-day meet will run from 4 pm to 9 pm under floodlights.
“I will start my season here in Kenya at the Kip Keino Classic on April 24,” Cheruiyot said. “We are the hosts, so as local athletes we have to rise to the occasion and deliver in that race.”
This year’s edition will be staged under floodlights for the first time since 2020, a setting expected to produce fast times and intense competition. The meet will also feature wavelight technology for the first time in Kenya, with LED pacing lights along the inside rail designed to guide athletes through precise splits.
“I promise I will run under 3:30 because now we have the wavelight, it will help me a lot,” he noted. “If the race goes out fast, then I believe I can hit a personal best.”
Despite his growing profile, Cheruiyot is yet to break the 3:30 barrier at the Kip Keino Classic, a mark he will be eager to conquer in front of a home crowd. He made his debut at the meet in 2021 over 5,000m, finishing fifth in 13:39.07, before stepping down to the 1,500m in 2022 and placing second in 3:35.50 behind Abel Kipsang (3:31.01).
He claimed his maiden title in 2023, clocking 3:32.01 to beat Kipsang (3:32.70) and Vincent Keter (3:36.92). Cheruiyot successfully defended his crown in 2024, timing 3:31.96 ahead of Brian Komen (3:32.29) and Daniel Munguti (3:33.71).
Beyond Nairobi, the youngster has lined up an ambitious international campaign, starting with the Diamond League opener in Xiamen on May 23 over 5,000m before switching back to the 1,500m in Rabat.
“In the Diamond League I will start with Xiamen in the 5,000m, then go to Rabat for the 1,500m,” he revealed. However, his main focus lies later in the season, with the Commonwealth Games and the World Ultimate Championships.
“There are the Commonwealth Games and also the World Ultimate Championships; those are our biggest focus with my coach. We are looking at sharpening our tactics.”
At the Commonwealth Games, Cheruiyot is targeting a podium finish in the 5,000m. “I will run the 5,000m at the Commonwealth, and I hope to come back with a medal,” he said.
Reflecting on last season, the Kenyan star is keen to sharpen his race execution. “The only problem I had last season was slow reaction, so I want to improve on that and sharpen my tactics this year.”
