Diana Wanza competes at the Kip Keino Classic/ HANDOUT
Fresh from capturing gold at the African Senior Athletics Championships last month, rising distance-running prospect Diana Wanza will be keen to stamp her authority once again this weekend as she seeks to keep her red-hot form intact at the Athletics Kenya (AK) National Championships/ Commonwealth Games trials.
Wanza, 27, has been unbeaten so far this season in every race she has lined up for in a campaign that has steadily elevated her status among Kenya's elite distance runners. She decisively launched her season on March 21 on the roads at the Azpeitia Half Marathon in Spain, surging to victory in 1:07:31.
The commanding display saw her finish comfortably ahead of home favourite Irene Sanchez (1:11:13) and compatriot Vivian Rop (1:12:56).
She carried that momentum into the African Championships trials on April 10, storming to victory in the women's 10,000m after clocking 32:12.1.
In a race that showcased her strength and tactical maturity, Wanza outkicked Mercy Chepng'eno (32:27.2) and Phena Yego (32:47.4) to secure the win.
The in-form distance ace then notched up her third consecutive victory of the year at the Kip Keino Classic on April 24, this time over 5,000m. She crossed the line in 15:28.91 as Mercy Chepkemoi (15:49.85) and Dorcus Chepkwemoi (15:55.29) followed in her wake.
Wanza's impressive winning streak continued on May 12 in Accra, Ghana, where she claimed her maiden continental crown at the African Championships. The Kenyan star produced a dominant front-running display to win the women's 10,000m in 31:33.26, with Rwanda's Florence Niyonkuru (31:43.73) and Ethiopia's Asefu Abrehab (31:45.91) completing the podium.
The reigning African champion has already made her intentions clear ahead of the national showpiece, setting her sights on securing a ticket to the Commonwealth Games while keeping her medal ambitions firmly alive.
"I have to make the team for the Commonwealth Games. I am hoping for a medal there too," Wanza said in a previous interview.
However, extending her winning streak will be anything but straightforward as she faces a formidable challenge from defending champion Loice Chemnung and a star-studded cast of female distance specialists.
Chemnung heads into the contest as the defending national champion after claiming last year's 10,000m title in 31:39.09, leading Cintia Chepng'eno (32:22.44) and Rebecca Mwangi (32:22.85) across the finish line.
Also in the mix is 2024 New York Marathon champion Sheila Chepkirui, who enters the fray buoyed by a strong start to her 2026 campaign that saw her triumph at the Nagoya Women's Marathon in 2:21:54 on March 8. Adding another intriguing subplot to the contest is Janeth Chepng'etich, the 2024 African 10,000m champion.
Also expected to feature prominently are Mwangi, the reigning national 5,000m champion, and Pamela Kosgei, the 2025 NCAA 5,000m and 10,000m champion.
Elsewhere, a thrilling battle of speed, rhythm and endurance is shaping up in both the women's and men's 400m races. In the women's contest, national record holder Mercy Oketch will lock horns with former national record holder Mary Moraa and the experienced Mercy Chebet in what promises to be a mouthwatering one-lap showdown.
Oketch enters the championships as the reigning national champion after storming to victory in last year's final in 50.32 seconds. In the men's race, defending national champion George Mutinda has made his intentions clear as he targets a successful title defence and a place on Team Kenya for Glasgow.
"My training has been good, everything is good. The focus is to defend my title and make the team for Glasgow," said Mutinda.
Mutinda will square off against national indoor 400m record holder Brian Tinega, 2015 African silver medallist Boniface Mweresa, Kevin Kipkorir and David Sanayek in a race expected to produce fireworks.
The men's 1,500m will also command attention, with 2019 world champion Timothy Cheruiyot seeking to fend off challenges from 2022 World U20 champion Reynold Cheruiyot, Daniel Munguti and Brian Komen.
In the field events, Kenya's javelin icon Julius Yego will be out to impress as he bids to secure a record fifth appearance at the Commonwealth Games.
