Kenyan-born American Jonah Koech makes his pick between 800m and 1500m
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Reading Time: 3min | Wed. 04.06.25. | 15:06
However, amid rising speculation about a possible switch to the longer 1,500m event, the 28-year-old remained clear on his goal
Kenyan-born American middle-distance runner Jonah Koech has reaffirmed his loyalty to the 800m discipline despite stunning the world with a commanding win in the 1,500m at the Rabat Diamond League, where he clocked a personal best and meet record of 3:31.43.
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Fresh off that career-defining victory, Koech jetted back home to compete in Kenya for the first time since 2015, turning heads once again by winning the 800m race at the Kip Keino Classic in a season-best time of 1:43.32.
He entered the race as an underdog with Reynold Cheruiyot the favourite to win, but the tables turned quickly with the 28-year-old taking the win.
However, amid rising speculation about a possible switch to the longer 1,500m event, the 28-year-old remained clear on his goal.
“My race is 800m. The Rabat Diamond League was a build-up for this race. I would not want to talk about transitioning to 1,500m because I have not decided, but I am still doing the 800m now; that is my event,” Koech said after his Kip Keino Classic triumph.
Koech’s performance in Rabat marked the beginning of his outdoor season after a solid indoor campaign, where he landed podium finishes in all but one race, the US Indoor Championships.
With confidence and momentum on his side, Koech now turns his focus to the 2025 World Championships, where he hopes to rattle the elite 800m field, including big names like Emmanuel Wanyonyi and Marco Arop.
The former Team USATF representative, who donned American colours in the 800m at the 2022 World Championships in Eugene, explained that he competed in the 1,500m as a build-up for the Kip Keino.
“The 1500m was to build my speed endurance since the 800m athletes have been dropping fast times, and I do not want to be left behind,” he explained.
Koech’s return and competing on Kenyan soil was a homecoming almost a decade in the making.
“Coming back to compete in Kenya 10 years later feels amazing. There’s been massive growth in the 800m. There’s improvement in technology, shoes, and science behind it.
That is why the race is now very competitive. I achieved my dream time. I am satisfied,” he revealed.
Despite being based in the United States, Koech holds a soft spot for Iten, where he trains whenever he is in Kenya. His family resides in a high-altitude area in Elgeyo Marakwet.
“Mostly when I come home, I train in Iten. I live in Colorado Springs, but I train in Baltimore, which is where our company is stationed,” he offered.
He further acknowledged the challenges faced by Kenyan athletes, especially regarding infrastructure.
“There is no major difference between Kenya and the USA. I would say the only difference is the support and the facilities. I know Kenya is capable of having better facilities, but the system has its ways,” he observed.
