Africa-Press – Kenya. After a relatively disappointing 2025 season, 2022 World 5,000m silver medallist Jacob Krop will bank on his flying start to 2026 to leave his mark on the global stage.
Krop has looked razor-sharp on the indoor circuit, sending an early warning to his rivals that he is rediscovering his rhythm and range.
He started the season with a runner-up finish at the Karlsruhe Indoor Meeting in Germany on February 8, clocking 7:38.64 over 3,000m, narrowly edged by the Netherlands’ Stefan Nillessen, who timed 7:38.48.
Krop followed that up with yet another runner-up finish on Thursday evening at the Hauts-de-France Indoor Meeting, slicing his time down to 7:34.68.
Ethiopia’s Addisu Yihune claimed victory in 7:33.58, with compatriot Getnet Wale placing third in 7:35.44.
The back-to-back podium finishes signal a clear intent as Krop seeks to turn last year’s frustrations into fuel.
Then, Krop posted mixed results across road and track, struggling to string consistent performances.
His campaign began at the Sirikwa Classic Cross Country Tour, where he faded to 19th place in the senior men’s 10km race, clocking 31:22. Daniel Ebenyo claimed victory in 29:57, ahead of Gideon Rono (30:07) and Nicholas Kipkorir (30:15).
Krop responded with a more encouraging outing on the roads in Lille, France, securing a podium finish in a 10km race after clocking 27:15, trailing Uganda’s Kenneth Kiprop (27:09) and Eritrea’s Saymon Amanuel (27:10).
However, the 24-year-old stumbled to fifth over 5km at the Adidas Adizero Road to Records in Herzogenaurach, clocking 13:22. Ethiopia’s Yomif Kejelcha stormed to victory in 12:54 ahead of Andrew Alamisi (13:03) and Spain’s Thierry Ndikumwenayo (13:08).
His track campaign began at the Oslo Diamond League, where he lined up in his preferred 5,000m but settled for 11th in 12:51.16. At the Paris Diamond League, he placed 12th in 13:05.04 over the same distance.
There was modest improvement at the Monaco Diamond League, where Krop upgraded to ninth in 13:04.82, yet the spark that once carried him to a world silver medal remained elusive.
In September, he donned the national singlet at the World Athletics Championships in Tokyo over 5,000m.
His quest for another global medal, however, suffered a dent after he finished 14th in the final. American Cole Hocker (12:58.30), Belgium’s Isaac Kimeli (12:58.78) and France’s Jimmy Gressier (12:59.33) swept the podium.
Krop, however, salvaged pride towards the tail end of the season with a strong second-place finish at the Corrida de Houilles 10km road race, clocking 27:47 behind home favourite Yann Schrub (27:20), while Spain’s Ilias Fifa completed the podium in 27:53.
