Moraa eyes redemption in Miami after Kingston setback

Moraa eyeing glory in Miami after Kingston heartbreak

by TEDDY MULEI

Athletics03 May 2025 - 11:58

In Summary

Moraa, had been listed as one of the women's short distance racers to compete in both the 800m and 1,500m fields throughout the circuit.
She now faces an uphill task with only two meets left—Philadelphia (May 30–June 1) and Los Angeles (June 27–29) to catch up to the leaders.

World 800m champion Mary Moraa is aiming for redemption in Saturday’s second leg of the inaugural Grand Slam Track series in Miami, after a forgettable outing at the Kingston opener.

Moraa, had been listed as one of the women's short-distance racers to compete in both the 800m and 1,500m fields throughout the circuit.

She faded to eighth place in the two-lap showdown in Jamaica, clocking 2:00.97.

The race was dominated by American Nikki Hiltz (1:58.23), Ethiopia’s Diribe Welteji (1:58.29), and Australia’s Jessica Hull (1:58.58).

The Kenyan ace later withdrew from the 1,500m, citing a recurring medical issue.

“I am forced to withdraw from the second race — the 1,500m —and the entire Kingston event because of a recurring medical condition,” Moraa announced at the time.

In her absence, Welteji returned to rule the 1,500m, taking victory in 4:04.51 ahead of Kenya’s Susan Ejore (4:05.10) and Hiltz (4:05.39).

That performance propelled Welteji to the top of the Grand Slam standings with 20 points, followed by Hiltz (18) and Ejore (12).

Moraa sits at the bottom of the table with just a point.

She now faces an uphill task with only two meets left—Philadelphia (May 30–June 1) and Los Angeles (June 27–29) to catch up to the leaders.

Determined to regain her rhythm, Moraa fine-tuned her form at the fifth Athletics Kenya weekend meet held at Ulinzi Sports Complex on April 25–26.

She blazed to victory in her 400m heat, clocking 51.51, well ahead of Nancy Mwangi (56.59) and Florence Obel (59.12).

She, however, skipped the semifinals.

Moraa later anchored her 4x400m relay team—alongside Esther Mbagari, Mercy Oketch and Mercy Chebet—to an emphatic win in 3:25.80.

Miami’s middle-distance roster is stacked, with Welteji once again the woman to watch.

The Ethiopian is enjoying a blistering 2025 campaign, having recently bagged silver in the 1,500m at the World Indoor Championships with a 3:59.30 finish behind Gudaf Tsegay’s sizzling 3:54.86.

Adding spice to the Miami showdown is a fresh line-up of challengers, including two-time World Indoor champion Freweyni Hailu, World Indoor bronze medallist Emily Mackay, Canada’s Lucia Stafford the 2017 Pan American U20 1,500m champion and Saint Vincent’s national record holder Shafiqua Maloney.