Darius Kipyego Makes 'Tremendous Leap' In 800 Meters

Pan Am U-20 Silver Medalist from Rhode Island Ran US#1 1:49.46 As A Sophomore

By Mary Albl of DyeStat

It makes sense that Darius Kipyego has found success in running.

His father, Evans Kipyego, was a middle-distance runner in Kenya who competed briefly for Temple in the 1990s.  

“It's something my dad wanted me to do. My dad saw potential with me in the 800 (meters),” Kipyego said. “Even though it's a pretty suffering race, you build so much adrenaline, and I think it's one of the best races. I love it.” 

Kipyego has carved out a name as one of the best and brightest young 800 runners in the U.S. The rising junior from Warwick, R.I., Kipyego captured the silver medal at the Pan American U-20 Championships in San Jose, Costa Rica, running the fastest prep time in the country this year at 1:49.46. 

“He is just mature beyond his years,” Kipyego’s high school coach, Chris Magill, said. “It was a possibility in his mind and he went out and did it. To get under 1:50 as a sophomore ... the adjectives, I can't even come up with.” 

After a strong freshman season at St. Raphael Academy where he finished as the top freshman in the 800 (1:57.03) at the Rhode Island State Championships, Kipyego was faced with a choice heading into the summer of his sophomore year:  Continue to run or transition into football season? Kipyego chose a future in track. 

“There's no doubt from his freshman year to his sophomore year he made a tremendous leap,” Magill said. “He exploded as a sophomore.” 

The indoor season saw him win the Rhode Island state 600-meter title in a personal-best time of 1:20.42, the top mark for a sophomore in the country. He concluded with a fourth-place finish and All-America status at the New Balance Nationals in the 800, running 1:53.43. 

“One of the things I think that helped him was he concentrated solely on running,” Magill said. 

After a disappointing seventh-place finish at the New Balance Nationals Outdoors, where he ran 1:52.38, Kipyego continued to train for the USATF U-20 Outdoor Championships, where he ran a PR of 1:51.26 in Miramar, Fla. to finish second and qualify for the Pan Am U-20 Championships. 

“I think he really benefited from running cross country and getting some good mileage in so he could survive and last through the end of July,” Magill said. “In the workouts, he was actually getting stronger and faster.” 

As a 16-year old and first-timer in international competition, Kipyego said the goal in Costa Rica was to survive and advance, and try and break the Rhode Island state record held by Classical’s Conor Murphy (1:50.43), set earlier this spring. 

“I knew he had to be patient in the semifinals to make the final,” Magill said. “Our goal was to make the final, then I said the goal is to get a medal. Might as well, we're here.” 

Up against a strong contingent of international competitors, Kipyego was able to follow the game plan, hit his splits and save enough energy for the final straightaway to capture second place. Raul Neri of Mexico won in 1:49.10. 

“I kind of stuck in the mid pack, made sure I didn’t get boxed in, and gave it all I had the last 100 meters,” he said. 

Added Magill: “Just the maturity for a 16-year old to say I’m going to run my race and not worry, especially with two Jamaicans, it was nothing short of incredible.” 

Kipyego’s time of 1:49.46 was third all-time for a sophomore. Michael Granville of Bell Gardens CA holds the sophomore national record of 1:48.98 set in 1994, with Obea Moore of Muir CA clocking 1:49.16 in 1995. 

“I’m still kind of on Cloud Nine,” Kipyego said. “It was a great experience just being in that environment with all the athletes.” 

Both Magill and Kipyego admitted they were surprised when the clock posted his time. Magill believes it has set his young runner up for a special final two years of high school track. 

“He wants to leave high school with some of the records,” Magill said. “Not just Rhode Island, but nationally.” 

Kipyego, who is an avid gamer, piano player and attends church every Sunday, will look to carry his summer momentum over to the cross country season as he’ll be a captain for the team this fall. 

“He’s so enthusiastic about track and field and about encouraging his teammates,” Magill said. “He’s a special asset to the team and Rhode Island track and field.”