All systems go ahead of Athletics Kenya Thika meet on Thursday

  Kenya’s top athletes return to action as Thika Stadium hosts the second leg of the AK Track and Field Weekend Meeting from January 15–17.  

The meet is an early-season test for athletes eager to set benchmarks ahead of a busy year. Athletics Kenya competition director Kennedy Tanui said all systems are ready, and athletes will collect their bib numbers on Wednesday, January 14.

“From Wednesday, we will be in Thika with all events except pole vault, which is scheduled for the next meeting,” Tanui said.

“Please note that registration and issuance of running numbers will not be conducted on the event days.”

A total of 14 events are on the program. Track races include 100m, 110m/100m hurdles, 200m, 400m, 400m hurdles, 800m, 1,500m, 3,000m steeplechase, 5,000m, 10,000m, and race walk for both men and women, while field events include hammer throw, javelin, discus, shot put, long jump, high jump, triple jump, decathlon, and heptathlon.

Tanui said the meet will help shape athletes ahead of a packed 2026 season.

“We have a very busy year, with the Commonwealth Games, Youth Olympics, Africa Senior Championships, and the inaugural Ultimate Challenge in Budapest. We urge all athletes to prepare well,” he said.

The 2026 calendar promises excitement from continental battles to global finals. World Athletics Indoor Championships in Torun, Poland, and World Athletics Relays in Botswana will test speed and endurance, while the Diamond League circuit from May to September will challenge consistency.

The World Athletics U20 Championships in Eugene, Oregon, and the first-ever World Athletics Ultimate Championship in Budapest will showcase the best of youth and elite talent, and the 2026 Summer Youth Olympics in Dakar, Senegal, will round off a busy year for Kenya’s track and field athletes.

Looking Ahead – 2026 Key Events:

World Athletics Indoor Championships: March 20–22 in Torun, Poland. Expect explosive performances in Europe’s loudest arenas.

World Athletics Relays: May 2–3 in Gaborone, Botswana. Nations battle for 4x100m, 4x400m, and mixed relay titles.

Diamond League: May 8–September 5. 14 qualifying meetings leading to the grand finale in Brussels, Belgium.

Commonwealth Games – Glasgow: July 27 – August 1. Kenya seeks to improve on the 2022 Birmingham results, where it won 20 medals. Track highlights include the return of the Commonwealth Mile.

World Athletics U20 Championships: August 4–9 in Eugene, Oregon. The stage for the stars of tomorrow.

World Athletics Ultimate Championship: September 11–13 in Budapest. A first-ever “best-of-the-best” season finale.

2026 Summer Youth Olympics – Dakar: October 31 – November 13, Senegal.