Kenyan athlete and three-time Olympic champion Faith Kipyegon on September 26 soared to victory in the 1500m event at the women-only track and field event, Athlos held in New York.

Athlos which was launched by entrepreneur Alexis Ohanian aims to build off of the star power of women’s track, with the inaugural event taking place at New York’s Icahn Stadium marking the end of a busy athletics season.

Kipyegon was among three Kenyans alongside world champion Mary Moraa who took part in the 800m and Susan Ejore-Sanders who joined her in the 1500m.

The three-time Olympic champion who looked comfortable in the race brushed off competition from Ethiopia’s Diribe Welteji to claim victory with a time of 4:04.4. Susan Ejore Sanders secured third place with a time of 4:06.25.

Winners of each event pocketed $60,000 (Ksh7.7 million)- twice the prize money offered at the Diamond League finale – and first place finishers each received a custom Tiffany crown.

Having finished first in the 1500 event, the 30-year-old Kenyan athlete took home the Ksh7.7 million, the largest prize money in any race she has ever run.

“I pick inspiration from many characters back at home. I started competing when I was about fifteen years old and I am still going strong,” said Kipyegon in her victory speech.

Athlos Event

In the 800m event, Olympic silver medalist Tsige Duguma of Ethiopia held off a challenge from Kenya’s Mary Moraa around the final turn to cross the line first in 1:57.43 ahead of Moraa in second place who clocked 1:58.05.

Diamond League champion and Olympic bronze medalist Jasmine Camacho-Quinn in the 100m hurdle race kept up her good form since the Olympics as she surged to victory with a time of 12.36 seconds ahead of American sprinter Alaysha Johnson in second place, clocking 12.43 seconds.

Kipyegon’s win came two days after she was awarded by the Academy of Achievement in the United States of America, alongside Beatrice Chebet.

In a statement, President William Ruto on Monday, September 23 made the announcement while congratulating Kipyegon and Chebet for the recognition.

“The extraordinary honor is a solid tribute to your hard work, talent, and dedication to athletics. No doubt, it will inspire upcoming athletes and help shape our country’s sports.”

Faith Kipyegon Awarded

The Head of state joined them during the Dinner of the Golden Plate Award ceremony at the Lincoln Centre Plaza, New York where they were awarded.

At the ceremony, each honoree was presented with the Golden Plate Award and the Academy of Achievement gold medal as a “representative of the many who excel” in their chosen professions.

Past Golden Plate honorees include former US Presidents Barack Obama, George H.W. Bush, Ronald Reagan, and National Basketball Association (NBA) great Michael Jordan.

Triumphant in Diamond League

Kipyegon’s win and award came days after she showcased her dominance once again in the Diamond League event in Rome on Friday, August 30.

The Three-time Olympic 1500m champion who was making her first appearance since clinching her third consecutive Olympic gold medal in Paris 2024, raced to victory with an impressive time of 3:52.89.