Kenya relays secure World Championships spot, eye podium

The Kenyan quartet booked their place in the final — and secured qualification for the 2027 World Championships — after a strong second-place finish in their heat. It was a performance full of promise, with the team pushing eventual heat winners Great Britain all the way to the line in a dramatic finish.

George Mutinda set the tone on the opening leg before handing over to Mercy Oketch, who delivered a standout run. The sprint specialist surged past the field to open a commanding lead, putting Kenya firmly in control at the halfway mark. Kelvin Tonui maintained the momentum on the third leg, keeping Kenya ahead before passing the baton to anchor Mercy Chebet.

Chebet fought bravely down the home straight but was reeled in late by Great Britain’s fast-finishing anchor, who snatched victory in the closing metres, leaving Kenya to settle for second place — still enough to progress.

Earlier, Team Kenya’s mixed 4x100m relay squad of Moses Onyango, Millicent Ndoro, Dennis Mwai and Oketch fell short of an automatic final slot after finishing fourth in their heat. Despite posting a season’s best time of 41.35 seconds, it was not enough in a highly competitive race.

The heat was dominated by Jamaica, whose quartet delivered a stunning world record performance of 39.99 seconds to underline their sprinting supremacy.

Kenya, however, still have another opportunity to advance. The team will return to the track on Sunday for the repechage round, where a top-two finish will secure them a place at next year’s World Championships.

Teams qualified for WCH Beijing 27 and competing in the finals on Sunday: 

Women’s 4x100m: Canada, China, Germany, Italy, Jamaica, Poland, Portugal, Spain 

Men’s 4x100m: Australia, Botswana, Canada, Germany, Great Britain & NI, Netherlands, South Africa, United States 

Women’s 4x400m: Canada, Czechia, Germany, Great Britain & NI, Italy, Netherlands, Norway, Spain 

Men’s 4x400m: Australia, Belgium, Botswana, Netherlands, Portugal, Qatar, South Africa, Zimbabwe 

Mixed 4x100m: Canada, Germany, Great Britain & NI, Jamaica, Netherlands, Nigeria, Spain, United States

Mixed 4x400m: Australia, Great Britain & NI, Italy, Jamaica, Kenya, Poland, Spain, United States