Kenya’s dominance in long-distance running has been reaffirmed on the global stage, with three of the country’s finest athletes shortlisted for the 2025 World Athletics Out of Stadium Athlete of the Year award.
Olympic and world marathon champion Peres Jepchirchir, 10km world record holder Agnes Jebet Ngetich, and double World Marathon Major winner Sebastian Sawe have all earned their place among the year’s elite. The nominations highlight Kenya’s enduring strength in road running — from the marathon to the 10km dash.
Peres Jepchirchir: The Queen of the Marathon
Jepchirchir’s 2025 season has been nothing short of remarkable. The 31-year-old marathoner struck gold once again at the World Athletics Championships in Tokyo, claiming her fifth global title with a time of 2:24:43.
Her thrilling sprint finish over Ethiopia’s Tigst Assefa confirmed her place among the all-time greats. “Every race is a new challenge, but representing Kenya and winning for my country means everything,” Jepchirchir said after her victory.
She now faces Assefa again, this time off the track, as both vie for one of the sport’s top honours.
Agnes Jebet Ngetich: The Record Breaker
At just 24, Ngetich has rewritten the history books of road running. She stunned the world in April by setting a women-only 10km world record with a blistering 29:27. Later in the year, she produced the third-fastest half marathon time in history, clocking 1:03:08 in Valencia.
“I’m proud of what I’ve achieved this year, but I know there’s more to come,” Ngetich told reporters after her record run. Her consistency and fearless front-running have earned her comparisons to legends like Joyciline Jepkosgei and Florence Kiplagat.
Both Jepchirchir and Ngetich will go head-to-head with a formidable field that includes Spain’s Maria Perez, double world champion in race walking, and the Netherlands’ Sifan Hassan, who claimed victory at the Sydney Marathon.
Sebastian Sawe: The Silent Powerhouse
On the men’s side, Sebastian Sawe has emerged as one of the most disciplined marathoners of his generation. His victories in both London and Berlin — two of the sport’s crown jewels — have made him a standout performer in 2025.
His 2:02:16 in Berlin, run under sweltering conditions, remains one of the fastest marathon times ever recorded. “Berlin tested everything — my pace, my patience, my preparation,” Sawe said after the race. “But that’s what makes it special.”
He now faces stiff competition from Alphonse Felix Simbu of Tanzania, who claimed the world marathon title, and Ethiopia’s Yomif Kejelcha, who ran the second-fastest 10km in history.
Winners will be decided through a combination of public votes, World Athletics Council, and World Athletics Family input. The final ceremony is scheduled for November, where the world’s best out-of-stadium athletes will be crowned.
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