Athletes looking to gauge their early-season form will be in competitive action this weekend as the Athletics Kenya Track and Field Weekend Meet moves into its second leg at Thika Stadium.
The Thika event replaces the originally planned opening meet in Mumias which was cancelled in November and has been expanded into a full programme encompassing all disciplines that were scheduled for Mumias.
Over three days, the venue will host a broad slate of events across track and field.
A total of 19 events are set to be contested, offering sprinters, mid-distance runners, hurdlers, throwers and jumpers a chance to test their readiness ahead of a demanding year.
On the track, races will range from the short sprints (100m and 200m) to middle distances (400m, 800m, 1500m) and long distances, including the 5000m and 10,000m.
Hurdle events and the steeplechase will also feature, while race walks round out a busy programme for both men and women.
Field events will include the discus, javelin, hammer and shot put, as well as long jump, triple jump and high jump. Combined events the decathlon and heptathlon will challenge athletes’ all-around athleticism.
In a statement, Athletics Kenya emphasised that the Thika meeting comes at a critical juncture as athletes build toward major competitions lined up in 2026.
“The Thika meet provides a valuable competitive platform for athletes to assess their preparations ahead of a packed international calendar,” AK said.
Among the key events on the horizon are the World Relay Championships in Gaborone, Botswana, in May, and the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, Scotland, scheduled for July 23–August 2.
Later in the year, athletes will shift focus to the World Athletics Road Running Championships in Copenhagen, Denmark, followed by the inaugural World Athletics Ultimate Championships in Budapest, Hungary.
With world stage opportunities in sight, the Thika competition gives athletes a chance to sharpen their competitive edge and set benchmarks for the season.
There is also prize money on offer: winners in each discipline will take home Sh20,000, while second and third place finishers will receive Sh15,000 and Sh10,000 respectively.
Last year’s edition delivered memorable performances that underscored the meet’s growing reputation. Three-time African race walk champion Samuel Gathimba dominated the men’s 10,000m walk in 41:44.7, and Celestine Biwott impressed with a strong winning time in the women’s steeplechase.
In the sprints, veteran Boniface Mweresa electrified fans with a sharp 10.1-second 100m effort.
Athletics Kenya has reminded competitors to finalise their registration ahead of the meet.
“Bib numbers will be issued on Wednesday, January 14, 2026, at Thika Stadium between 9:00am and 6:00pm,” the federation said, warning that no registrations or bib collections will be processed during competition days.
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