ROAD TO GLASGOW: Rosemary Longisa Targets Commonwealth Games Mile
Rosemary Longisa and Kentucky's Janet Amimo warm up at Nyayo ahead of the Glasgow Games. Photo: Robert Kibet
Fresh from an NCAA title, a landmark NIL deal with Brooks Running and a move from Washington State University to Iowa State University, Rosemary Longisa is back on Kenyan soil fine-tuning her preparations with Team Kenya ahead of the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games.
From NCAA champion to Team Kenya camp
On a cool Tuesday morning at Nyayo National Stadium, Rosemary Longisa moved through another training session alongside her Team Kenya teammates.
The laps came steadily. So did the conversations between athletes and coaches as Kenya's Commonwealth Games squad, currently under the stewardship of the National Olympic Committee of Kenya (NOC-K), continued preparations for Glasgow 2026.
For Longisa, the camp marks another significant milestone in a year that has transformed her from a promising collegiate athlete into one of Kenya's most exciting middle-distance prospects.
Just weeks ago, she was competing on American tracks. Now, she is preparing to wear Kenyan colours in the women's mile at the Commonwealth Games, scheduled for July 23 to August 2 in Glasgow.
The transition back home has not been without its challenges.
"The training has been good," Longisa said after completing Tuesday's speed session.
"I've had like four days off and started my endurance sessions last week. It was hard adjusting to the altitude but I'm coming up well. Today's workout was not that hard but I think it's preparing me for the harder workouts."
A season that changed everything
Rosemary Longisa during the recent AK Commonwealth Games Trials at the Nyayo National Stadium. Photo: Benson Kireru
Longisa arrives in camp carrying the momentum of a breakthrough collegiate campaign.
Earlier this year, the Kenyan star clocked a personal best of 4:02.55 over 1500m, placing herself among the fastest women in NCAA history. She later captured the NCAA outdoor title, firmly establishing herself among the leading middle-distance athletes in American collegiate athletics.
Her remarkable rise has also attracted commercial attention.
Recently, Longisa signed a Name, Image and Likeness (NIL) partnership with running apparel giant Brooks Running, becoming one of the latest Kenyan collegiate athletes to secure a major sponsorship agreement while competing in the United States.
Yet despite the accolades, Longisa remains grounded.
"I don't think there is anywhere that doesn't have high competition," she said.
"Everywhere is competitive. I think it's just a matter of weather, time and adjustment."
A new chapter in Iowa
The Commonwealth Games buildup also comes amid a major change in Longisa's collegiate career.
After a successful stint with the Washington State Cougars, she recently transferred to Iowa State University, where she will compete for the Iowa State Cyclones.
The move allows her to continue working with coach Laura Harmon, whom she credits for much of her recent development.
"She has nurtured me. I've grown in her hands since last year," Longisa said.
"I was running 2:10 in the 800 and now I'm sub-two. She knows my weaknesses and my strengths. Starting over with another coach would have been very hard."
The decision was not easy, she admits, but maintaining continuity in training was a key factor.
"I love Washington State so much, but this was out of my ability. I had to do it. I'll go there and represent Iowa State very well."
Inspired by Faith Kipyegon
Like many young Kenyan middle-distance runners, Longisa points to Olympic champion Faith Kipyegon as her greatest inspiration.
"Faith inspires me so much," she said.
"She's really been a great impact in my life. Every time I'm doing anything, I'm just seeing her doing it and I'm like, if she's doing it and she's inspiring me, I think I can also do it."
The admiration goes beyond inspiration.
Longisa openly hopes to help carry Kenya's tradition in the women's 1500m when the current generation eventually steps away.
"I've always loved competing in the 1500m," she said.
"I want to specialize more in the 1500m. Someone should be there filling that space and I feel like I'm that person."
She also credits fellow Kenyan internationals Susan Ejore and Dorcas Ewoi for helping shape her journey.
"They're more like sisters to me," she said.
Eyes on Glasgow and beyond
While Glasgow remains the immediate focus, Longisa's ambitions stretch much further.
Breaking four minutes for 1500m is one of the major targets she has set herself. Beyond that lies an even bigger goal: challenging the NCAA record.
"We're looking forward to breaking the NCAA record," she said.
"If not this year, definitely sometime soon. We are looking forward to breaking four minutes."
For now, though, the attention is firmly on the task ahead.
As Team Kenya's preparations continue under NOC-K, Longisa is embracing the challenge of the rarely contested championship mile while carrying the confidence of a season that has already delivered career-defining moments.
The NCAA title, the Brooks partnership and the move to Iowa State have all signaled the beginning of a new chapter.
Glasgow could be where the next one truly begins.