40-year-old policewoman hungry for more after 100m Commonwealth Games qualification

They say life begins at 40, and Kenyan sprint sensation Millicent Ndoro is proving that age is nothing more than a number.

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At 40 years old, Ndoro has earned the distinction of being the only Kenyan woman selected to represent the country in the 100m at the 2026 Commonwealth Games, slated for Thursday, 23 July to Sunday, 2 August.

Ndoro stamped her authority during the Athletics Kenya (AK) trials for the Commonwealth Games, producing a dominant performance throughout the three-day competition.

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She won her heat in 11.73 seconds before clocking an impressive 11.40 in the semifinal to secure victory and book her place in the final. She then wrapped up her campaign by winning the final in 11.52 seconds.

Even more impressive was the fact that the semifinal performance saw her register a new personal best, a rare achievement for an athlete competing in her fourth decade of life.

Speaking to Mozzart Sport, Ndoro revealed that there is no magic formula behind her success. Instead, she credits her continued excellence to faith, discipline, and hard work.

"The secret is simple: putting God first, training well, and maintaining discipline. When you do that, everything else falls into place," she said.

Away from the track, Ndoro balances her athletics career with her duties as a police officer, as well as family responsibilities. While juggling multiple commitments can be challenging, she says the support from her employer, the Kenya Police, has played a crucial role in her success.

"Balancing athletics and my career has been easy because my employer has always been very supportive. They have never stood in the way of my training or competitions, and I owe them a lot for that support," she explained.

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Ndoro was also quick to acknowledge the level of competition she faced at the trials, particularly from rising sprint star Eunice Kadogo, who pushed her throughout the event. Kadogo came in second in 11:80.

"The trials were great, even though they lasted three days. I managed to finish on top, but the competition from Kadogo was very tough.

I ran a personal best on Friday, and that gave me confidence and momentum towards achieving my goals. The weather was favourable, although it was a bit heavier on Saturday," she noted.

For Ndoro, the personal bests achieved during the trials are a clear indication that she is still improving despite her age.

"Setting two personal bests, including one in the semifinals, is a huge improvement for me. Running personal bests at 40 is not easy, which makes the achievement even more special and rewarding," she said.

While many athletes begin contemplating retirement at her age, Ndoro believes her journey is only just beginning.

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"Life begins at 40, and I feel like I am only getting started. Despite my age, I believe I still have a lot more to offer on the track,” she said.

With her Commonwealth Games ticket now secured, the veteran sprinter has already shifted her focus to areas she believes can elevate her performances even further.

"Now that I have secured my ticket to the Commonwealth Games, my focus is on improving my starts. Once I get that right, I believe I will be ready to compete at an even higher level,” she averred.

This will not be her first time on the international stage. At the Kip Keino Classic held at Nyayo National Stadium, the ‘Mistress of Sprints’ captured the spotlight by taking third place in the women's 200m.

She crossed the finish line in a blistering personal best time of 23.21 seconds, sharing the podium with American Olympic champions Gabrielle Thomas and Cambrea Sturgis.