Athletics Kenya (AK) has announced that the men’s 10,000m and women’s 5,000m teams for the upcoming World Athletics Championships in Tokyo will be selected during the Prefontaine Classic Diamond League, set for July 5, 2025, at Hayward Field, University of Oregon, United States.

“Athletics Kenya (AK) is happy to announce that it will use this year’s Prefontaine Classic Diamond League to select the men’s 10,000 m and women’s 5,000 m teams to represent the country at this year’s World Athletics Championships in Tokyo, Japan,” read the notice.

The decision marks a strategic move by the national athletics body to tap into the high-calibre competition of the Prefontaine Classic to ensure only the best athletes make the cut for Tokyo. The championships are scheduled to take place in the Japanese capital from September 13 to 21, 2025.

Kenya’s long-standing success at the Eugene-based meet played a major role in the selection of this venue. In 2011, Moses Mosop etched his name into history books with back-to-back world records in the men’s 25,000 m and 30,000 m events.

More recently, at the 2024 edition, Beatrice Chebet broke the world record in the women’s 10,000 m after clocking an astonishing 28:54.14, earning her a place at the Paris Olympics. Chebet went on to claim double Olympic gold in both the 5000 m and 10,000 m races.

Also punching their tickets to Paris last year via the same meet were Lilian Kasait, who finished third (29:26.89), and Margaret Chelimo, who came in fourth (29:27.59), both delivering podium-level performances that affirmed Kenya’s depth in distance running.

AK expressed confidence that this year’s selection will maintain that high standard, with a world-class field expected to participate in the fiercely competitive Prefontaine meet. The federation also thanked the event organisers for offering a top-tier platform and facilities that mirror the conditions athletes are likely to face in Tokyo.

“The Prefontaine Classic has historically provided a competitive environment that sharpens our athletes ahead of global events. We are confident this year’s selections will yield medal-worthy representatives,” said AK in a statement.

Meanwhile, trials for the women’s 10,000 m and men’s 5000 m teams will be held separately in Nairobi, with dates expected to be announced in the coming days. These domestic trials will complete Kenya’s lineup in long-distance events for Tokyo.

With Tokyo 2025 on the horizon, the selection races this weekend are expected to attract global attention, with Kenyan stars hoping to join the legacy of legends who launched their global dominance on the Eugene track.