Michael Saruni

Michael Saruni
Saruni at the 2019 Millrose Games
Personal information
Nationality Kenya
Born (1995-06-18) June 18, 1995
Eldama Ravine, Kenya
Height5 ft 10 in (178 cm)
Sport
SportTrack and field
Event(s)800 metres
1500 metres
College teamUTEP

Michael Saruni (born June 18, 1995) is a Kenyan collegiate middle-distance runner. He was the former world record holder for the indoor 600 m with a time of 1:14.79, set in January 2018.[1] Representing the University of Texas in El Paso, he also set the all-time collegiate record for 800 m in April 2018, with a time of 1:43.25.[2]

Michael Saruni graduated from Kabimoi High School in Baringo County - Eldama Ravine, Kenya.

In 2017 NCAA Division I Indoor Track and Field Championships 800 meters final, Saruni won in 1:47, but was disqualified after bumping Piazza who cut into lane 1 in front of Saruni.[3]

In 2017 NCAA Division I Outdoor Track and Field Championships 800 final, champion Emmanuel Korir tripped Saruni at 600 meters.[4]

Saruni was controversially excluded from the Kenyan 2017 World Championships team by Athletics Kenya due to a misunderstanding of IAAF policies.[5]

In 2018 NCAA Division I Indoor Track and Field Championships 800 meters final, Saruni won in 1:45.15.

Michael Saruni, a sophomore UTEP Miners (University of Texas El Paso), set the NCAA 800 meters record at the 2018 Desert Heat Classic in Tucson, Arizona in 1:43.25 improving NCAA 800 m record of Donavan Brazier (1:43.55 in 2016).[6]

In 2018 NCAA Division I Outdoor Track and Field Championships 800 meters final, Saruni placed 3rd in 1:45.31.

He qualified to represent Kenya at the 2020 Summer Olympics.[7]

In 2022, Saruni was given a provisional suspension for anti-doping rules violations.[8] He has been suspended for 4 years in 2024.[9]

Competitions

Year Competition Venue Position Event Notes
Representing University of Texas at El Paso
2016 Conference USA Cross Country Championships Frank Liske Park Concord, North Carolina 6th 8000 m 24:16.2
2016 NCAA Division I Cross Country Championships LaVern Gibson Championship
Cross Country Course

Terre Haute, Indiana
228th 10,000 m 32:08
2017 Conference USA Indoor Track and Field Championships Birmingham Metro CrossPlex 1st 800 meters 1:50.67
1st Mile 4:03.32
NCAA Men's Division I Indoor Track and Field Championships College Station, Texas DQ 1st 800 m DQ 1:47.48
11th DMR 9:56.03
Conference USA Outdoor Track and Field Championships El Paso, Texas 1st 800 meters 1:47.48
2nd 1500 m 3:46.15
NCAA Men's Division I Outdoor Track and Field Championships Eugene, Oregon 8th 800 m 2:15.56 (Tripped @ 600 m)
24th 4 × 400 m 3:18.65
Representing Athletics Kenya
2017 2017 Athletics Kenya World Championship Trials Nairobi, Kenya 3rd 800 m 1:44.61
IAAF World Championships in Athletics London, United Kingdom DNS 800 m DNS
Representing University of Texas at El Paso
2018 Conference USA Indoor Track and Field Championships Birmingham Metro CrossPlex 1st 800 meters 1:52.05
2nd Mile 4:10.39
NCAA Men's Division I Indoor Track and Field Championships College Station, Texas 1st 800 m 1:45.15
Conference USA Outdoor Track and Field Championships Rice University 2nd 800 meters 1:49.71
2nd 1500 m 3:50.09
NCAA Men's Division I Outdoor Track and Field Championships Eugene, Oregon 3rd 800 m 1:45.31

[10]

References

  1. ^ "Saruni Sets World Record at Albuquerque Track and Field Meet". UTEP Athletics. Retrieved 2018-05-30.
  2. ^ "Michael Saruni generates buzz with 800m world lead". Olympic Channel. Retrieved 2018-05-30.
  3. ^ "2017 NCAA M 800M Final Championship Indoor Track and Field". Too Fast Move Over YouTube. Retrieved December 28, 2018.
  4. ^ "Men's 800m Final - UTEP's Emmanuel Korir wins, trips up teammate". Joe Battaglia MileSplit. Retrieved December 28, 2018.
  5. ^ Komen, Jonathan. "US-based Saruni dropped from 800m team for World Championships". Retrieved 2018-05-30.
  6. ^ "Michael Saruni Smahes NCAA 800m Record with 1:43.25". Watch Athletics. Retrieved December 28, 2018.
  7. ^ "Former UTEP national champions Korir and Saruni qualify for Kenyan Olympic team; Amusan, Okagbare headed to Tokyo for Nigeria". KTSM 9 News. 2021-06-19. Retrieved 2021-06-20.
  8. ^ PROVISIONALLY SUSPENDED ATHLETES
  9. ^ "Doping Double Take: Michael Saruni Served Four-Year Ban After Failed Impersonation Scheme". 2024-02-11. Retrieved 2024-02-16.
  10. ^ Michael Saruni at Tilastopaja (subscription required)