Kenyan middle-distance runner Dorcus Ewoi delivered a standout performance at the 2026 New Balance Indoor Grand Prix in Boston on January 24, claiming victory in the women’s 1500m with a world-leading time and personal best of 4:01.22.

The win marked a strong start to the indoor season for the 2025 World Athletics Championships silver medallist. Ewoi’s time placed her only 0.05 seconds shy of the Kenyan indoor record of 4:01.17 set by Beatrice Chepkoech in 2019.

Team Kenya celebrated her achievement on X, dated January 25, 2026, Team Kenya celebrated Dorcus Ewoi’s achievement at the New Balance Indoor Grand Prix, highlighting her world-leading time and personal best of 4:01.22.

Her performance places her just behind Beatrice Chepkoech’s Kenyan indoor record of 4:01.17 and establishes Ewoi as the second fastest Kenyan woman in history over the 1500m indoors. The milestone reinforces her rising status in middle-distance running and adds to Kenya’s growing dominance in the sport.

“Second fastest ever Dorcus Ewoi storms to victory at the New Balance Indoor Grand Prix with a world lead and personal best of 4:01.22. Just a whisker shy of the Kenyan record of 4:01.17 held by Beatrice Chepkoech, but close enough to shake history and carve her own name into it: ‘The second fastest Kenyan woman in history over the 1500m indoor.’ Well done, Dorcus. #TeamKenya is proud,” Team Kenya said.

Rising through mentorship and experience

Ewoi’s success builds on her breakout 2025 outdoor season, where she claimed silver at the World Championships in Tokyo behind compatriot Faith Kipyegon. The duo shared a mentorship bond in Tokyo, with Kipyegon guiding Ewoi through the semi-finals.

Reflecting on her world debut, Ewoi said, “I wanted to go; I was fourth. Leo Faith, sijui nitalala aje.” Kipyegon encouraged her to savour the moment, advising, “Enda lala, enda lala na uweke kwa kichwa hivi… I’m happy for you; you know I got confused, actually. I was told, ‘What do you think of Dorcas winning a silver medal?’ and I was like, ‘Silver?’ I thought it was bronze. And now I’m seeing, and I’m surprised.”

The Boston victory underscores Ewoi’s continued rise within Kenya’s middle-distance programme and adds momentum to #TeamKenya’s indoor campaign, cementing her status as one of the nation’s premier 1500m athletes.