OTC Elite Athlete Changes Landscape of American Distance Running

By Scott Bush, DyeStat Editor

The landscape of American distance running shifted in a major way Wednesday, as Olympic and World Championship silver medalist Sally Kipyego announced to the world she's earned her American citizenship. 

After coming to the United States from Kenya to attend college and compete at the NCAA level, where she won three straight cross country national titles competing at Texas Tech, Kipyego signed with Nike, moving to Eugene to train and compete for the Oregon Track Club Elite. 

Kipyego's decision to become an American citizen is influential, in that it seems as though she's poised to move up full-time to the half marathon and marathon, especially after her runner-up performance at the TCS New York City Marathon last fall, where she finished in 2:28:01, 12 seconds ahead of third-place Molly Huddle.

The 31-year old won World Championship silver in 2011 in the 10,000 meters, then followed that up with another silver at the London Olympics at the same distance.

In 2016, Kipyego ranked 18th in the world over 5,000 meters with a seasonal-best 14:43.98, well off her personal-best 14:30.42, but still showing world-class speed.

A move up to the marathon immediately vaults Kipyego into the same class as fellow Olympians Shalane Flanagan and Desi Linden. Add in Amy Cragg, Kellyn Taylor, Laura Thweatt, Annie Bersagel and Huddle, and it's easy to see American marathon running is starting to show some serious depth.