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
Saruni at the 2019 Millrose Games
Personal information
Nationality Kenya
Born (1995-06-18) June 18, 1995 (age 29)
Eldama Ravine, Kenya
Height5 ft 10 in (178 cm)
Sport
SportTrack and field
Event(s)800 metres
1500 metres
College teamUTEP

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

edit
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 800m 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 800m 2:15.56 (Tripped @ 600 m)
24th 4x400m 3:18.65
Representing Athletics Kenya
2017 2017 Athletics Kenya World Championship Trials Nairobi, Kenya 3rd 800m 1:44.61
IAAF World Championships in Athletics London, United Kingdom DNS 800m 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 800m 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 800m 1:45.31

[10]

References

edit
  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 (registration required)