Kip Keino Classic: Indefatigable Edmund Serem overcomes jetlag to emerge victorious
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Reading Time: 2min | Sat. 31.05.25. | 17:41
Serem’s father, Senior Catechist Serem, stepped into the mixed zone to embrace his son in front of cheering fans
Reigning World U20 steeplechase champion Edmund Serem delivered a gutsy performance to claim victory in the men’s 3,000m steeplechase at the Kip Keino Classic on Saturday, 31 May at the Ulinzi Sports Complex.
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Despite battling fatigue from recent international travel, Serem clocked 8:27.68, edging out Ethiopia’s Fikadu Dink in a dramatic sprint finish that thrilled thousands of home fans in the stands.
Serem, who completed the podium at the Wanda Diamond League meeting in Rabat, Morocco, admitted he had not even found his way to his home, let alone resumed training, before lining up in Nairobi.
“I just flew in from Rabat. I did not even go home. I’ve been in Nairobi, no training, just recovery. The Ethiopians were tough, but I told myself I have to fight to the finish, and I did,” Serem said after the race.
The youngster trailed early on but produced a powerful surge midway through the race to take command of a tightly contested field featuring five Ethiopians, four Kenyans, a Bahraini, and a Czech athlete.
Dink, who pushed Serem all the way, crossed the line in 8:27.97, while fellow Ethiopian Godona Gemechu settled for third with a new personal best of 8:31.82.
But beyond the times and titles, it was the post-race moment that truly stole hearts. Serem’s father, Senior Catechist Serem, stepped into the mixed zone to embrace his son in front of cheering fans. That emotional moment was one of the meet’s highlights.
Serem’s triumph comes just six days after his 8:07.48 run in Morocco, where he secured bronze and booked his spot at the 2025 Tokyo World Athletics Championships.
The exciting teenager won the top medal for Kenya at the Lima 2024 World U20 Championships in Peru, matching the feat of his elder brother, who struck gold at the Nairobi 2020 World U20 edition.
He is also the younger of the Serem brothers; his elder sibling and reigning Diamond League champion, Amos, 22, was ruled out of the Kip Keino Classic through injury.
Men's 400m
Meanwhile, Boniface Mweresa finished sixth in 46:15 as Brian Onyari shone bright after clocking 45:06 to register a personal best in the men's 400m Heat B.
Zablon Ekwam finished third in the 400m men's heat A in 45:01. The heat was won by South African Nene Zakithi, who crossed the line in 43:76 to register a world lead.
The 27-year-old was coming off a second-place finish at last weekend's Diamond League meeting in Rabat, where he clocked 44:46 seconds.
Nigerian Chidi Okezie came in second in 44:98, which was a season best.
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