Athletics Kenya Takes National Trials to U.S. Soil in Bold Strategy to Sharpen World Championship Squad

NAIROBI, Kenya – June 4, 2025
In a bold and unconventional move, Athletics Kenya (AK) has announced that this year’s national trials for the 10,000m and 5,000m events will take place not on home soil, but at the world-renowned Prefontaine Classic—a flagship Diamond League meet held in Eugene, Oregon, USA.

The decision marks a strategic pivot designed to test Kenya’s long-distance elite against the world’s best, under championship-level conditions, as part of final preparations for the upcoming World Athletics Championships.

World-Class Trials for a World-Class Team

AK officials say the choice of the Prefontaine Classic is part of a broader vision to elevate the quality and intensity of national trials, especially in distance events where Kenya has historically dominated but now faces growing global competition.

“If we want our athletes to succeed at the highest level, we must select and prepare them under the same pressure and pace they’ll face at the World Championships,” said a senior AK official. “What better proving ground than one of the most competitive races on the global calendar?”

Rising to Global Standards

Held annually at Hayward Field—home of record-breaking performances and elite competition—the Prefontaine Classic offers Kenyan runners the rare opportunity to go head-to-head with international rivals in a high-stakes, high-performance setting. The aim is not just to determine who tops the Kenyan field, but who can truly hold their own among the world’s elite.

This shift also allows selectors to gauge athletes’ tactical awareness, mental resilience, and finishing strength in a setting that closely mirrors championship conditions.

A New Era in Team Selection

This is the first time AK has opted to stage national trial events at a global meet, signaling a willingness to modernize its approach to athlete development and performance benchmarking. The federation is expected to monitor athletes’ performances closely, with top finishers earning automatic places on the Kenyan squad for the World Championships.

“This is about excellence, not convenience,” noted an athletics commentator. “It’s a radical idea, but it’s a clear signal that Kenya wants to dominate—not just participate—on the global stage.”

Looking Ahead

The Prefontaine Classic, scheduled for late June, will serve as a critical milestone in Kenya’s athletics calendar this year. As athletes prepare to take on the world under the watchful eye of selectors, fans back home will be hoping the gamble pays off—with medals, glory, and national pride in return.