Kenyan trio nominated for the 2024 Out of Stadium Athlete of the Year

Benson Kipruto, Ruth Chepngetich and Agnes Jebet Ngetich. [AFP]

Kenya’s Ruth Chepngetich, Benson Kipruto, and Agnes Jebet Ngetich have been nominated for the prestigious Out of Stadium Athlete of the Year awards as part of the World Athletics Awards 2024.

The annual awards recognize the year’s outstanding achievements across different athletic disciplines, celebrating athletes who excel outside traditional stadium events, particularly in marathon, cross-country, and road racing.

Outstanding season for Ruth Chepngetich

Ruth Chepngetich's nomination follows an incredible year that saw her set a new world marathon record and claim victory at the 2024 Chicago Marathon.

Known for her relentless pace and mental tenacity, Chepngetich remains one of the most dominant marathoners in recent years.

Her remarkable performance in Chicago marked her as one of the sport’s greats, and her world record achievement further solidified her position in marathon history.

Benson Kipruto’s Olympic glory and marathon wins

Benson Kipruto's 2024 season has been equally impressive. The Tokyo Marathon winner, Kipruto added an Olympic bronze to his accolades, underlining his consistency and competitiveness on the international stage.

The Kenyan marathoner’s ability to perform on demanding courses and his calm under pressure has been instrumental in his rise, making his nomination a fitting recognition of his contributions to the sport.

Agnes Jebet Ngetich’s record-breaking year

Agnes Jebet Ngetich enters the award race as a record-breaking force. The Kenyan shattered both the world 5km and 10km records and set the world lead in the half marathon, a testament to her speed and endurance.

Ngetich’s performances have been instrumental in raising the profile of road racing, and her nomination reflects her influence and dominance in these events throughout the season.

The nominees are part of a highly competitive field, with athletes who set new standards in global road and marathon events, including Olympic champions and record-holders.

Joining Chepngetich and Ngetich in the Women’s category are Ethiopia’s Sutume Asefa Kebede and Tigist Ketema, as well as the Netherlands’ Sifan Hassan, the Olympic marathon champion and record-holder.

In the Men’s category, Kipruto is up against Ethiopia’s Yomif Kejelcha, Uganda’s Jacob Kiplimo, Ecuador’s Brian Daniel Pintado, and Ethiopia’s Olympic marathon champion, Tamirat Tola.

Fans can participate in the voting process, open now on World Athletics’ social media channels, which will close on November 3.

The nominees for 2024 Women’s Out of Stadium Athlete of the Year are (in alphabetical order):

Sutume Asefa Kebede, Ethiopia
• Tokyo Marathon winner
• No.2 marathon time of 2024

Ruth Chepngetich, Kenya
• World marathon record
• Chicago Marathon winner

Sifan Hassan, Netherlands
• Olympic marathon champion
• Olympic record

Tigist Ketema, Ethiopia
• Berlin Marathon winner
• Dubai Marathon winner

Agnes Jebet Ngetich, Kenya
• World 5km and 10km records
• World half marathon lead

The nominees for 2024 Men’s Out of Stadium Athlete of the Year are (in alphabetical order):

Yomif Kejelcha, Ethiopia
• World half marathon record
• World 10km lead

Jacob Kiplimo, Uganda
• World Cross Country Championships gold
• Valencia 10km winner

Benson Kipruto, Kenya
• Tokyo Marathon winner
• Olympic marathon bronze

Brian Daniel Pintado, Ecuador
• Olympic 20km race walk champion
• Olympic marathon race walk mixed relay silver

Tamirat Tola, Ethiopia
• Olympic marathon champion
• Olympic record