Window of opportunity for Kenya to host global athletics events opens up

Athletics Kenya can now submit bids towards hosting another potential world class championship, following the launch of the bidding processes of three World Athletics Series events, which begin in 2028.

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World Athletics on Tuesday, 13 January announced that member federations were now open to submitting pre-qualification forms, for hosting the 2028 and 2029 World Road Running Championships, and the 2029 World Cross Country Championships.

The announcement comes as another opportunity for Kenya to host a high-level athletics event, following its public interest in hosting either the 2029 or 2031 World Athletics Championship events.

Speaking during last year’s World Championships in Tokyo, Sports Cabinet Secretary Salim Mvurya, alongside members of Athletics Kenya, confirmed Kenya were in the process of formalizing their pre-qualification bids for the events, with Moi International Sports Centre -Kasarani labeled as the desired host venue.

Kenya, who are in a race with Ethiopia, UK, Germany, South Korea and India, can now look at adding potential for more events, which should go along with the country’s current national strategy to host top-tier events, as seen with the 2024 African Nations Championships (CHAN), and next year’s 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).

Kenya has never hosted the Road Running Championships, but was the venue for the 2007 World Cross Country Championships that were held at Mombasa Golf Course.

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Delivered in its latest format as a one-day competition, the Road Running Championships bring together approximately 350 elite athletes from about 55 countries to contest the half marathon and 5km road races, alongside highly popular mass participation events.

Each edition transforms the host city into the road running capital of the world, providing an outstanding opportunity for a host member federation to capitalize on the growing global appetite for road running.

The event’s strong appeal to recreational runners and spectators alike offers significant potential to drive participation, visibility and revenue, while strengthening the host’s international road running profile.

The cross country, meanwhile, is designed to highlight the character and landscape of the host city through technically challenging courses and distinctive terrain.

Staged also as a one-day event, the championships feature approximately 550 athletes from about 52 countries, with opportunities to incorporate memorable mass participation races.

Should Kenya garner hosting interests, then it should submit its applications by 3 April 2026.

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