By OUR CORRESPONDENT
The seventh edition of the Kip Keino Classic is gathering momentum, with organisers working around the clock to prepare Nyayo National Stadium for the April 24 spectacle.
Meet director, Barnaba Korir, revealed that early renovations were a calculated effort to avoid the disruptions that derailed last year’s plans.
“Last year we had issues with the stadium and were not able to host Kip Keino at Nyayo. But this year, everything is done,” Korir said. “We now have a new tartan track, a Mondo surface installed last year, and we brought in a surveyor from World Athletics to ensure the stadium meets required standards.”
Owen Malone, a Diamond League technical director for Shanghai, Brussels, and Xiamen meetings, confirmed the new track is on course for World Athletics certification within weeks.
“Everything is looking good. The first certification report will be sent to World Athletics next week, and it could be approved within two to three weeks,” Malone said.
He praised the preparations, noting productive collaboration with Sports Kenya and Athletics Kenya.
“It has been a very fruitful three days working together in preparation for the event,” he said. “We have been concentrating on competition equipment, timing systems, television production, and overall event presentation. Everything looks very good, and we are ahead of schedule compared to previous years.”
With infrastructure in place, Malone believes the upgraded Mondo surface is primed to spark explosive performances.
“It is a Mondo track, which is very fast and popular with sprinters,” he said, pointing out Nairobi’s altitude of 1,700 to 1,800 metres as an added advantage.
“At altitude, there is less air resistance, which can help athletes achieve faster times.”
Unlike conventional tracks, the Mondo surface is firmer and engineered for superior energy return, crucial for speed.
“The sprinters understand this, which is why it is easy to attract top-level athletes. This track is hard and gives excellent energy return,” Malone noted.
“We can expect very fast times, especially in the sprints. The altitude can be a bit challenging for distance runners, but with Kenya’s depth of talent, we should still see quality races.”
