Boston Marathon Silver Medalist Chemnung Wins 10,000m at KCB National Championships
Rising marathon star returns to the track to claim national honours as Kenya's distance-running depth shines at Nyayo Stadium
NAIROBI, Kenya, June 19, 2026 – Boston Marathon silver medalist Loice Chemnung continued her remarkable rise from track specialist to global road-running star by storming to victory in the women's 10,000m at the Athletics Kenya National Championships and Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games Trials, powered by a KSh10 million sponsorship from KCB Group.
Competing under clear skies and moderate temperatures at Nyayo National Stadium, the Kenya Prisons athlete produced a controlled performance to stop the clock at 31:46.90, opening a decisive 9.90-second gap over Police runner Diana Wanza, who crossed the finish line in 31:56.80. Kenya Defence Forces athlete Selah Busienei completed the podium in 32:01.85.
The race, one of the highlights of the second day, brought together some of Kenya's finest road runners, marathoners and track specialists, offering an early glimpse into the country's depth ahead of future international assignments.
A Marathon Star Returns to the Track
Chemnung's victory capped a remarkable 18 months that have transformed her from a promising track athlete into one of Kenya's most exciting marathon prospects.
After establishing herself as a force in cross-country and track competition, the former World Under-20 champion has enjoyed a meteoric rise on the roads. Her breakthrough came with victory at the Malaga Half Marathon before she announced herself on the global marathon stage with a stunning debut at the 2025 Chicago Marathon.
The 2026 season has elevated her profile even further. Earlier this year, she shattered the Barcelona Half Marathon course record, confirming her credentials among the world's elite road runners before delivering another statement performance with a runner-up finish at the Boston Marathon, one of the sport's most prestigious races.
Friday's victory at Nyayo Stadium therefore represented more than a national title. It highlighted the growing versatility of an athlete capable of excelling from the track to the marathon.
Despite securing the win, Chemnung admitted that her focus for the remainder of the season remains under discussion.
"I will have to discuss with my coach whether I will represent Kenya at the 2026 Commonwealth Games," she said after the race.
The Kenya Prisons athlete revealed that preparations for a possible return to the Bank of America Chicago Marathon could influence that decision.
"I think I will be going back to the Chicago Marathon, but that decision will come after discussions with my coach. Because I am preparing for the marathon, it requires much more preparation time compared to the track," she said.
Chemnung also disclosed that she had arrived at the championships shortly after her Boston Marathon campaign.
"I have just come from Boston and I was not fully prepared for the national championships. Going back to defend a marathon title is not easy. However, if my coach agrees that I go for the Commonwealth Games, I will definitely compete."
Strong Depth Across the Field
While Chemnung's victory drew much of the attention, the race also showcased the depth of Kenyan women's distance running.
Wanza emerged as one of the standout performers of the day, clocking a personal-best 31:56.80 to finish second and become one of only two athletes to break the 32-minute barrier.
Busienei followed closely in 32:01.85, while Miriam Chebet finished fourth in 32:09.42. Rebecca Mwangi placed fifth in 32:10.95, narrowly ahead of Maureen Cheboor, who clocked 32:16.89.
Brenda Jepchirchir (32:17.69), former World Championships finalist Lilian Kasait (32:32.94), AK Diaspora athlete Caroline Kariba (32:42.52) and Naomi Chepngeno (32:43.08) completed the top ten.
The fact that all ten athletes finished inside 33 minutes underlined the competitiveness of the field and offered further evidence of Kenya's enduring strength in women's distance running.
Wanza Reflects on Career Progress
For Wanza, the silver medal represented a significant milestone in a season she describes as one of growth and learning.
The Police athlete, who trains in Ngong under the guidance of a United Kingdom-based coach, credited her progress to adopting a more professional approach to training and racing.
"I am happy for this moment. My season from last year has been progressive. I have been learning how to train and race like a professional athlete," said Wanza.
She added that her coach had followed the race from Britain and would help analyse her performance in the coming days.
Beyond the competition itself, Wanza called for stronger education and athletics pathways within Kenya's universities and colleges, arguing that more young athletes should have opportunities to combine academics with sport without necessarily seeking scholarships abroad.
KCB Investment Driving Kenyan Athletics
The championships continue through Saturday with athletes competing for national titles and future team selection opportunities.
KCB Group's KSh10 million sponsorship has played a crucial role in supporting the Athletics Kenya National Championships and Commonwealth Games Trials, providing a platform for established stars and emerging talents to showcase their abilities on the national stage.
If the women's 10,000m was any indication, Kenyan athletics remains rich in talent, with a new generation of athletes increasingly demonstrating they can succeed on both the track and the world's biggest road-racing stages.