Kenya’s women’s 4×400‑metre relay quartet has dramatically punched their ticket to the World Athletics Championships in Tokyo this September, sending a wave of excitement through the athletics community.
At the World Athletics Relays in Guangzhou on May 11, the team clocked a national record of 3 minutes 28.20 seconds, pulverising a mark that had stood since the 1987 African Games and securing one of the coveted first eight slots for Tokyo qualification.
Led by a blend of experience and youthful vigour, the relay team delivered a breathtaking performance that underlined Kenya’s growing prowess beyond its traditional dominance in distance running.
The quartet’s split times were consistently strong, demonstrating smooth baton changes, solid pacing, and fearless closing legs technical attributes that marked a departure from earlier relay efforts.
Their achievement is part of a larger national upswing: Tokyo 2025 will see Kenya fielding three relay teams in the World Championships for the first time in history men’s 4×100m, men’s 4×400m and women’s 4×400m reflecting deliberate strategic investment in sprint and mid-distance relay squads.
Athletic Kenya officials describe this milestone as a watershed moment, one that aligns with national efforts to diversify Kenya’s global track footprint and elevate support for sprint disciplines.
Qualification at Guangzhou did not come without drama. Kenya’s women had initially been disqualified after a lane infringement but successfully appealed the decision, restoring their place in the final and earning the national record–breaking run that sealed their Tokyo spot.
The appeal victory was hailed as a testament to the team’s resilience and the federation’s commitment to fair adjudication. Since then, athletes and coaches alike have emphasized the lessons learned from adversity ahead of Tokyo, including refining their technical execution and sustaining peak form.
The quartet includes seasoned runners with international experience; among them Mercy Chebet, a 2024 national 400m champion, and Mercy Oketch, a Nairobi record-holder who posted an impressive 50.14 seconds earlier this year.
Their leadership was instrumental in rallying emerging talents and instilling the confidence needed to challenge formidable opponents on the global stage.
With the national trials underway in Nairobi and further competitive opportunities ahead, the women’s relay team is focused on maintaining momentum. Their coach has indicated that Tokyo-bound preparations will centre on sharpening relay exchanges, enhancing strength endurance, and adapting to the tactical demands of global competition.
Kenya’s qualification in Guangzhou and the new national record mark an inspiring chapter in the nation’s athletics narrative. As the team heads to Tokyo, they carry not just the weight of national expectation but a symbol of Kenya’s evolving presence in sprint events.
Their breakthrough not only opens the door for a strong performance on the world stage but also signals the potential for relay events to become a future strength for Kenyan athletics.
Written By Ian Maleve
