US-based Kenyan athlete credits Faith Kipyegon after Commonwealth Games qualification
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Reading Time: 3min | Wed. 24.06.26. | 08:04
The former Washington State standout has enjoyed a breakthrough season in the United States, clocking an astonishing 4:02.55 in the 1,500m, the fastest outdoor NCAA performance since 2009
Kenyan middle-distance sensation Rosemary Longisa has credited three-time Olympic champion Faith Kipyegon as a major source of inspiration after booking her place at the 2026 Commonwealth Games.
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Longisa secured qualification for the Games, set for Thursday, 23 July to Sunday, 2 August in Glasgow, Scotland, after finishing third in the women's 1,500m during the trials.
The achievement adds another milestone to what has been a remarkable rise for the US-based athlete, who recently made history as the first Kenyan woman to win the NCAA 1,500m title.
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Speaking after her qualification, Longisa revealed that Kipyegon’s success has played a significant role in shaping her mindset and ambitions as she continues her rapid progression in the sport.
“I have improved tremendously over the last two years. Faith Kipyegon has been a huge inspiration to me and has had a significant impact on my life.
Every time I compete, I see a bit of myself in her. Watching what she has achieved motivates me to keep pushing and believing in my own potential,” the soft-spoken Longisa said.
Longisa's admiration for Kipyegon comes at a time when her own performances are drawing comparisons with some of the best middle-distance runners in the world.
Kipyegon currently holds the women's 1,500m world record at 3:48.68, while Longisa has emerged as one of the brightest prospects in the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) system.
The former Washington State standout has enjoyed a breakthrough season in the United States. On April 19, she clocked an astonishing 4:02.55 in the 1,500m, the fastest outdoor NCAA performance since 2009.
The time elevated her to second on the all-time collegiate list behind only Jenny Barringer, who ran 3:59.90 in 2009.
The performance also propelled Longisa from 134th to 20th on the all-time list of Kenyan women over the distance, underlining the scale of her progress.
Her stellar campaign continued on May 1 when she shattered Washington State's outdoor 800m record, clocking 2:00.27 to eclipse a mark that had stood for more than 35 years. The result ranked her fifth nationally and added another school record to her growing collection.
Longisa leaves Washington State as one of the most decorated middle-distance athletes in the program's history, holding school records in the indoor 800m, outdoor 800m, indoor mile and outdoor 1,500m.
She recently transferred to Iowa State University, reuniting with women's cross country head coach and assistant track coach Laura Harmon ahead of the 2026/27 season.
Longisa arrives at Iowa State after capturing the NCAA outdoor 1,500m title and building an impressive résumé that includes personal bests of 4:02.55 in the 1,500m, 4:24.59 in the mile and 1:59.71 in the 800m.
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Her success has not been limited to the track. During the 2025 cross-country season, Longisa dominated the West Coast Conference circuit, winning the conference title while setting course and meet records at both the Gans Creek Classic and Cougar Classic. She also earned All-America honours as a freshman.
Despite arriving in Kenya shortly before the national trials, Longisa produced a strong performance to secure her Commonwealth Games berth.
“I am very happy with my result. It was a quick turnaround for me because we had just finished the NCAA Championships. We spent almost three days travelling, and I only arrived here on Tuesday, so considering the circumstances, I am pleased with how I performed,” she explained.
Longisa also highlighted the challenges of transitioning between racing environments in Kenya and the United States.
“The biggest differences are the altitude and the weather. In terms of competition, both sides are very strong and, at times, the races in the United States can even be more competitive. The main challenge is adapting quickly to the conditions, especially the weather,” she said.