Kenyan youngster on course to challenge Faith Kipyegon’s 1,500m world record
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Reading Time: 2min | Mon. 20.04.26. | 17:26
On Sunday, 19 April, the sophomore delivered a statement performance, clocking 4:02.55 in the 1,500m, the fastest outdoor time recorded in the NCAA since 2009
The conversation around Faith Kipyegon’s seemingly untouchable 1,500m world record has taken a fresh turn following a remarkable run by emerging Kenyan talent Rosemary Longisa in the NCAA circuit.
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On Sunday, 19 April, the sophomore delivered a statement performance, clocking 4:02.55 in the 1,500m, the fastest outdoor time recorded in the NCAA since 2009.
The mark places her as the second-fastest in NCAA history, behind only Jenny Barringer, who set the collegiate record of 3:59.90 in June 2009.
While Longisa’s time still sits nearly six seconds outside Kipyegon’s world record of 3:48.68, the performance has sparked conversations about the next wave of challengers in women’s middle-distance running.
Her run not only elevated her standing globally but also saw her leap from 134th to 20th on the all-time list of Kenyan women over the distance.
Representing Townhall Athletics, Longisa’s dominance was clear as she crossed the finish line almost five seconds ahead of runner-up Carmen Alder, who posted 4:07.29.
The commanding victory further cements her status as one of the brightest prospects in the NCAA and positions her as a serious contender for future global competitions, including the Los Angeles Olympics.
Her rise has been anything but accidental. Earlier in January, Longisa had already hinted at her potential when she ran 4:24.59 in the mile at the UW Invitational, just a second shy of the NCAA record.
That performance made her the third-fastest miler in NCAA history, trailing only the record set by Silan Ayyildiz at 4:23.46.
The UW Invitational run not only set a program record but also established a new meet record by three seconds, underlining her consistency across both indoor and outdoor seasons.
Longisa’s strength extends beyond the track. During the 2025 cross country season, she dominated the West Coast Conference circuit, winning the WCC Championships in 19:35.0 and setting course and meet records at the Gans Creek Classic (19:07.0) and Cougar Classic (19:32.3). She also posted impressive finishes at the NCAA West Regional Championships and NCAA Championships.
While it may be premature to suggest that Kipyegon’s world record is under immediate threat, Longisa’s trajectory points to a shifting landscape. At just the early stages of her elite career, she is closing the gap steadily.