Amon Kemboi in a past race/ HANDOUTInspired by his training partner Dorcas Ewoi’s sensational rise to Team Kenya, newly crowned New York 5km road race champion Amon Kemboi is determined to earn his first national call-up in 2026.
Ewoi made her maiden appearance in team Kenya at the Tokyo World Championships, where she clinched silver in 3:54.92 behind the four-time world champion Faith Kipyegon (3:52.15).
They train in the United States.
“We have been training together and I was really happy for her,” Kemboi said. “After seeing how she handled herself behind Faith in the semis, I knew she had the confidence and form to go for a medal in the finals.”
Riding on that inspiration, Kemboi is plotting his breakthrough into Team Kenya after closing his season with a commanding win at the New York 5K on November 1 in 13:50 to edge Americans Cole Sprout (13:51) and Anthony Rotich (13:52).
“The race was amazing. It was my first time running a 5K in New York,” he said.
“It felt comfortable; no one really wanted to push the pace early, so I just controlled my effort and finished strong.”
The 29-year-old has his sights firmly set on 2026, with eyes on the World Indoor Championships and the World Road Running Championships set for September 19–20 in Copenhagen, Denmark.
“Right now, it’s all about getting the right build-up. My coach and I will plan carefully which competitions to prioritise in December, either the indoors, outdoors or the World Road Running Championships," he said.
Beyond his Team Kenya dreams, Kemboi is also chasing a career milestone, breaking the 27-minute mark in the 10,000m.
“I really wanted to break 27 minutes in the 10,000m (this season), but it didn’t turn out as I hoped,” he said.
“Next year, I’ll mix it up on both the roads and track because I still believe I can get that sub-27.”
This year, Kemboi competed in only one 10,000m race, the TEN JSerra Catholic meet in March, where he clocked 27:31.41 for 13th place.
Most of his focus, however, has been on perfecting his speed and endurance over 5,000m.
He placed sixth at the Miami Grand Slam (13:50.64), ran 13:07.83 at the Track Fest meet, and secured a second-place finish at the Portland Track Festival in 13:15.22.
His road race consistency has also stood out, with a podium finish at the Boston 5K in 13:37 behind Eritrea’s Dawit Seare (13:33) and Britain’s Patrick Dever (13:35).
