Oklahoma State University Athletics
Kipchirchir Runs Third-Fastest American Time in History of IAAF World Championships
August 04, 2017 | Cowboy Cross Country & Track
LONDON – Former Cowboy All-American distance runner Shadrack Kipchirchir completed a historic run at the IAAF World Championships Friday, clocking a 27:07.55 in the 10,000-meter run to turn in the third-fastest American time in history.
The time places him third on the list behind only all-time greats Galen Rupp and Chris Solinsky, and it was also enough for a ninth-place finish in a race of the world's best athletes.
"I'm really proud of him and really happy and excited for him," Oklahoma State coach Dave Smith said. "He is a fantastic person and was a great Cowboy for us. He worked really hard and to go to the World Championships and come back as the third-fastest American in history, it really shows his work ethic, his attitude and his ability."
Since his time as a Cowboy, Kipchirchir joined the U.S. Army in October 2014 and then became part of the U.S Army World Class Athlete program. The program provides outstanding Soldier-athletes a chance to represent the U.S. in elite-level national and international competitions by providing them training and support while maintaining a professional military career.
Kipchirchir joined team USA and competed at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games, where he finished 19th in the 10,000 meters. Before today's finish, his best finish at the World Championships in the event was 16th with a time of 28:16.30.
Before graduating from OSU in 2014 with a degree in Construction Engineering, Kipchirchir was a four-time All-American for the Cowboys and he still holds the Oklahoma State record in the 5,000 meters with a time of 13:38.57. Kipchirchir was also part of the 2012 cross country team that brought home the school's most recent NCAA championship.
The time places him third on the list behind only all-time greats Galen Rupp and Chris Solinsky, and it was also enough for a ninth-place finish in a race of the world's best athletes.
"I'm really proud of him and really happy and excited for him," Oklahoma State coach Dave Smith said. "He is a fantastic person and was a great Cowboy for us. He worked really hard and to go to the World Championships and come back as the third-fastest American in history, it really shows his work ethic, his attitude and his ability."
Since his time as a Cowboy, Kipchirchir joined the U.S. Army in October 2014 and then became part of the U.S Army World Class Athlete program. The program provides outstanding Soldier-athletes a chance to represent the U.S. in elite-level national and international competitions by providing them training and support while maintaining a professional military career.
Kipchirchir joined team USA and competed at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games, where he finished 19th in the 10,000 meters. Before today's finish, his best finish at the World Championships in the event was 16th with a time of 28:16.30.
Before graduating from OSU in 2014 with a degree in Construction Engineering, Kipchirchir was a four-time All-American for the Cowboys and he still holds the Oklahoma State record in the 5,000 meters with a time of 13:38.57. Kipchirchir was also part of the 2012 cross country team that brought home the school's most recent NCAA championship.
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