Kip Keino Classic guide: What you need to know ahead of this weekend’s prestigious event

Kip Keino Classic guide: What you need to know ahead of this weekend’s prestigious event

Festus Chuma 09:00 - 19.04.2024

The Kip Keino Classic on April 20 offers significant prize money attracting global athletes to Nairobi's prestigious event.

The 2024 World Athletics Continental Tour marks its 5th season with a series of outdoor track and field meetings highlighted by the Kip Keino Classic in Nairobi. 

This event, set to unfold on April 20, 2024, at the Nyayo National Stadium, continues to celebrate the legacy of Kipchoge Keino, an iconic figure in athletics.

The Kip Keino Classic has a Gold label event within the Tour positioning it among the top-tier events in the series. T

his year’s edition will feature core disciplines including 100m, 200m sprint, 3000m steeplechase, triple jump, discus throw, and hammer throw. 

Each of these events promises fierce competition and the opportunity for athletes to secure significant prize money and ranking points, which are crucial for their career progression.

For athletes competing in the core events, the rewards are substantial. Winners will receive $5,000 (Sh650,000), first runner-up $3,000 (Sh 390,000), and second runner-up (Sh 260,000).

The prize money extends to the top eight finishers in each core event, ensuring that every effort is well-compensated. 

For those participating in the discretionary events, the stakes are similarly high with $3,500 (Sh455,000) for winners, $2,000 (Sh260,000) for runners-up, and $1,400 (Sh182,000) or third place finishers.

Additionally, the Kip Keino Classic serves as a critical platform for athletes aiming to secure Wildcard entries to the World Athletics Championships. 

Performances here can set the stage for future successes at global levels, making every leap, throw, and sprint crucial.

Discretionary events such as Javelin and High Jump will also feature, providing a broader showcase of track and field talents and adding variety to the competition. 

Athletics Kenya, in conjunction with the World Athletics Continental Tour, ensures a seamless execution of the event. 

The involvement of local authorities underscores the importance of the Classic, not just as a sporting event but also as a cultural highlight that boosts local tourism and global recognition of Kenyan athletics.

Kip Keino, the namesake of the Classic remains a figure of monumental importance in the world of sports. 

His achievements at the Olympic Games including gold medals in the 1,500 meters at Mexico 1968 and the 3,000m steeplechase at Munich 1972, set a high standard for what Kenyan athletes aspire to. 

His commitment to athletics and his role as a former chairman of the National Olympic Committee of Kenya enrich the event’s heritage.

As the event gears up, spectators can expect a meticulously organized meet in a stadium capable of seating 35,000 fans, ensuring a vibrant atmosphere and robust support for the athletes. 

With Nairobi’s mild April weather providing ideal conditions for track and field events, both athletes and fans are set for an exhilarating day of sports.

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