Uganda’s Halimah Nakaayi delivered a strong and composed performance to finish third in a highly competitive women’s 1500 metres race at the Kip Keino Classic, highlighting her growing form on the international stage.
The race, held in Nairobi, unfolded as a tactical contest of patience and late acceleration, with Kenya’s Mirriam Cherop surging to victory in 4:08.49. Ethiopia’s Deseta Tadele followed closely in second place, clocking a personal best of 4:09.55, while Nakaayi secured bronze in 4:09.66.
The Ugandan star, best known for her 800m pedigree, demonstrated impressive endurance and race management over the longer distance. She stayed within striking distance of the лид pack throughout, before responding to the decisive surge after the pacemaker dropped out—an approach that underscored both discipline and tactical awareness.
Cherop’s win came after a well-timed break in the closing stages, holding off pressure from both Tadele and Nakaayi in a tightly contested finish. Reflecting on her performance, the Kenyan athlete said she was “happy with the performance” and motivated by the home crowd support.
For Nakaayi, the result signals continued progress as she builds toward a competitive season, transitioning her strength from the 800m into longer middle-distance events. The race also highlighted East Africa’s dominance in middle-distance running, with Kenya, Ethiopia, and Uganda once again filling the podium.
The performance adds to Nakaayi’s growing résumé, reinforcing her status as one of Uganda’s leading middle-distance runners and a key contender in upcoming international competitions.
