Kenneth Kipkemoi

Who is Kenneth Kipkemoi?

Kenneth Kiprop Kipkemoi is a Kenyan long-distance runner who competes in the 10,000 metres and half marathons. He is the reigning African champion in the 10,000 m and has a half marathon best of 59:11 minutes.

Kipkemoi first began competing at road events in Kenya and ran a time of 62:59 minutes at the 2009 Nairobi Half Marathon. He was chosen for the Kenyan team at the 2011 All-Africa Games and was the silver medallist in the half marathon behind Lelisa Desisa, as well fourth in the 10,000 m. That October he came second at the Valencia Half Marathon, improving his personal best to 59:47 minutes.

He ran two half marathons in March 2012: he came third at the CPC Loop with a best of 59:11 minutes, but was less successful in Prague, coming sixth. In June he won the 10,000 m at both the national championships and the Kenyan Prison Championships; the latter performance guaranteed him conscription after his athletic duties. His first major victory followed at the 2012 African Championships in Athletics, where he led a Kenyan medal sweep with a championship record time of 27:19.74 minutes.