Kenya’s road to the 2025 World Athletics Championships in Tokyo enters a decisive phase on Saturday, July 5, 2025, as the Prefontaine Classic in Eugene, Oregon, doubles as the national trials for the women’s 5,000m and men’s 10,000m races.

While reigning world champion Faith Kipyegon will not compete in the 5,000m trials, she is set to run the 1500m, eyeing a record-extending seventh Prefontaine Classic title.

Her absence from the longer distance is due to a likely wild card entry for Tokyo, allowing her to defend her 5,000m crown.

Fresh from her historic sub-four-minute mile attempt in Paris, Kipyegon remains the woman to beat over the shorter distance.

“I tried to be the first woman to run under four minutes. It’s only a matter of time before it happens, if not me, then someone else,” she said after the race in France.

Speaking ahead of the Prefontaine Classic 2025 showdown, Kipyegon stated that she appreciates the decision made by the organisers to move the 1500m to be the final event of the day.

“I feel so honoured. Always is like, the mile is the last one on the track. And to have 1500m being the last one, I feel even more motivated to still work very hard, knowing that you have many people believing in you.

And now the event is moved to the last one. That is being honoured in a higher way. Yeah, I am very grateful,” she explained.

The excitement of the Prefontaine Classic does not stop in the women’s 1500m showdown because most of the other disciplines are also stacked with big names.

Chebet, Ng’etich face off

World 5,000m record holder Beatrice Chebet will headline a strong women’s 5,000m field that includes world 10km road record holder Agnes Ng’etich, Caroline Nyaga, Margaret Akidor, Maurine Jepkoech, Janeth Chepngetich, and Hellen Ekalale.

Chebet remains unbeaten this season in the 5,000m with a 14:27.12 win in Xiamen and a world-leading 14:03.69 in Rome.

But Ng’etich’s form has been equally impressive; she has won multiple Grand Slam events and set records in both road and track competitions this year.

Kenya’s men’s 10,000m team will feature 2022 world silver medallist Stanley Waithaka, NCAA champion Ishmael Kipkurui Rokitto, Nicholas Kipkorir, and Benson Kiplangat. Notably, world silver medallist Daniel Ebenyo opted out of the trials.

#TeamKenya is bringing out the BIG GUNS for this one.💪🏾🔥

The 50th edition of the Prefontaine Classic — Diamond League Eugene — goes down tomorrow,July 5, at Hayward Field in Oregon.

The race will serve as the national trials for the women’s 5,000m and men’s 10,000m for Tokyo… pic.twitter.com/az3nOpjs3r

— TeamKenya (@OlympicsKe) July 4, 2025

According to Athletics Kenya rules, the top two finishers in each race will earn automatic qualification for the World Championships, while the third slot will be decided by a panel.