Known as Kip Keino by most, was brought up by an aunt, as his parents died when he was young.
He came from Nandi, in the Rift Valley in Kenya. He will definitely go down as the first great African middle-to-long-distance track runner of that there is no doubt, but his contribution to life and sport in general was not only for his amazing exploits on the track but with his wife Phyllis Keino, established the Lewa Childrens Home for Orphans, the Kip Keino Primary School and Kip Keino Secondary School
On the 5th of August 2016 at the Olympic Opening Ceremony in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, he was awarded the first Olympic Laurel for outstanding service to the Olympic movement. His son, Martin Keino, was an NCAA Champion and his times were impressive. He ran a 1500 in 3:33.0 in September of 1996, and 3:52.3 for a mile in July of 1998. Now for the PB’s for Kip Keino his Father: 800/1:46.1 (1972); 1500/3:34.91 (1968); One Mile/3:53.1 (1967); 3000/7:39.6 (1965); 5000/13:24.2 (1965); 10,000/28:06.4 (1968); 3000 Steplechase 8:23.64 (1972).
It was after school he joined the Kenya Police, and it was 1962 he first went into a major Championships. That was at the Commonwealth Games in Perth, Australia, where he came 11th in the 3 miles but did not qualify in the mile. In 1964 he was 5th in very wet conditions in the Olympic 5000 Final, on the cinders in the Tokyo Olympic Stadium, just behind Michel Jazy, and was 10th in the 1500 Final, but then in 1965 came the transformation, and all he had learnt from the years before, which stood him in good stead. He had two wins over the great multi-distance record holder and ‘Gentleman of athletics’, Ron Clarke (over 5000 & 3000). It was on the 27th of August at Halsingsborg that Kip ran 7:39.6 for a World 3000 record. He then came to London to run on the cinders, at the White City Stadium, in the Morley Mile on the 30th of August 1965, and in that were several of the World’s best milers at the time.
Kip explained to me just after the race, “I was not intending winning; I was just running to get under 4 minutes. As I say, I was just running but no one passed me in the final lap. It was a surprise for me, as I had never run under 4 minutes for a mile before. I thought Alan Simpson or Jurgen May would win. The result was 1. Kip Keino 3:54.2 which was an All-Comers record and just 1/10th outside Peter Snell’s World record of the year before. 2nd was Josef Odlozil, who had also come 2nd in the Olympic Final in Tokyo. He achieved a Czech record in the race of 3:55.6; 3rd was Alan Simpson (GB)-Uk National and AAA’s record and 4 Jorgen May (GDR) 3:55.9 (German Record). In the Empire Games (Commonwealth) in 1966, Kip achieved the double in Kingston, Jamaica. In the mile he did 3:55.3 with Allan Simpson 2nd in 3:57.1.
He won the 3 miles in 12:57.4; 2nd was Ron Clarke 12:59 and 3rd Tipton’s, Allan Rushmer in 13:06.6, which was a UK National record. In 1967. In London on the 12th of August at the White City Jim Ryun of the USA beat Kip Keino over a mile in 3:56.0 to Kip Keino’s 3:57.4, but things were different in Mexico City in 1968 when, Ryun came through late for 2nd place in the 1500 Olympic Final to record 3:37.8 with Kip Keino doing a time of 3:34.9 to win. That very good German runner Bodo Tummler was 3rd 3:39.0. Kip Keino also was in the Olympic 5000 Final in Mexico and achieved a silver medal in 14:05.2 just behind the winner Mohammed Gamoudi of Tunisia who did 14:05.0.
In 1970 Kip Keino had a clear win in the 1500 Final in the Commonwealth Games in Edinburgh. 1st Kip Keino 3:36.6 2. Dick Quax (NZ), (who was 2nd in the 5000 in the Montreal Olympics of ‘76) 3:38.1 and 3rd Brendan Foster (England) and 4 Peter Stewart 3:40.6. His bother Ian Stewart won the 5000 in a good tactical battle, in the fastest time in the World that year of 13:22.8 with Scotland’s Ian Mcafferty 2nd in 13:23.4 and Kip Keino picking up yet another medal in 3rd in 13:27.6.
In 1972 Kip Keino won the 3000 steplechase in the Munich Olympic Final, in an Olympic record of 8:23.6; 2nd was Ben Jipjo of Kenya in 8:24.6. However in the 1500 Final, the amazing Kip also gained a silver medal in 3:36.81 with Rod Dixon (NZ) 3rd in 3:37.46. The latter also became a class marathon and International cross-country runner. The winner at Munich was Pekka Vasala of Finland in 3:36.33.
Back on the 31st of August 1965 I talked to Kip and he said “My Father was keen on sport and won the Company’s 4-mile race back in 1933 and he encouraged me to run. At school I used to run barefoot, but not now when I am running track races around the World.”
It was interesting to note whether he had anyone helping him with his progress in the sport and the training he did before the European tour, which included London.
“My physical training instructor in the Police Training School did give me some things to do to improve my times. Another influence was Malvyn Whitfield (The Olympic 800m Champion in 1948 and 1952). He has been giving me programmes which I have used. About my training I used to train with some people, but not now usually, because they are no longer taking part in athletics. I take Physical training classes in the Police training school, so I am actively doing other sports on a Tuesday and Friday, and I must say I enjoy athletics, basketball, hockey badminton and volleyball.
“My weekly training for athletics consists of Monday at 6am a 6 mile run. Afternoon 8 quarter miles 63-65 seconds. Then rest about 3 minutes, start again and do another 440, then rest for 3 minutes and do exercises. Tuesday no athletics. Wednesday 5 miles run. Afternoon 5x880 about 2.14 each. Rest 5 minutes then another 880. Friday, 6 miles. Afternoon sprints 330’s, 220’s 80’and even 50’s. Saturday and Sunday rest. As a Corporal I have to nearly always use my time to train between Police duties.
What advice would he give to an aspiring distance runner?
‘If you like something, you must work hard at it. If you take part in any event, do not worry about people beating you, as long as you do a good time. Train hard and ask somebody how you can set out a training programme.”