Kenya’s Philemon Kiriago won the 2026 Broken Arrow Skyrace 23k, his first win on U.S. soil and following up on his second place last year. In the following interview, Philemon talks about his determination to improve on his previous Broken Arrow performances, his contentious and all-action race with second-place Elhousine Elazzaoui, and his plans for racing again soon in Canada after a bit of time back home in Kenya.
To see more about how the race unfolded, be sure to check out our 2026 Broken Arrow 23k results article.
[Editor’s Note: If you are unable to see the video above, click here to access it.]
Philemon Kiriago, 2026 Broken Arrow 23k Champion, Interview Transcript
iRunFar: This is Gabe Joyce with 2026 Broken Arrow 23k Champion, Philemon Kiriago. Welcome Philemon, congratulations.
Philemon Kiriago: Thank you so much.
iRunFar: How are you feeling right now?
Kiriago: I’m excited. As I said before that I’m back to Broken Arrow. I was ready for the victory. I tried my best. From the beginning, I was the lead. I tried to control my emotions and my endurance, waiting for the last part because my colleagues used the same strategy. I want to try to be patient, to see what will be. And fortunately, I managed to make the sprint stronger than him.
iRunFar: I want to back up and talk about those emotions. So on Friday, you ran the Ascent and took third place?
Kiriago: Yes.
iRunFar: And I talked to you, you and I were chatting Friday afternoon, and you seemed disappointed, and I noticed you had this determination in your eyes, I think, to have a very good race Sunday. Did your race on Friday help you race better today?
Kiriago: For sure, when you are doing the first race before the one you’re expecting, it gives you courage, and it gives you moral for the coming race. When I was sprinting there, where the grass is, I saw that I’m capable to make it on Sunday. That’s why I was having hope that on Sunday, if things goes well, I will manage to win as I managed it today.
iRunFar: Yeah. So you and Elhousine [Elazzaoui] had an epic race similar to how you did last year. How did this year’s race feel different to you from 2025?
Kiriago: For sure, in the wintertime in Kenya, I trained a lot in run2gether camp, and I was well-prepared with my coach, known as Geoffrey Gikuni. He sent me here for the mission because he knows Elhousine is here for the last part. He tries to give me the tough program, a lot of sprints. That’s why I was mentally there. My coach mentored me, and they sent me for the mission. If I said I will miss it with a smaller second, but I was well-prepared for the competition.
iRunFar: Yeah, you looked really well-prepared. Walk us through the race just a little bit. So you led from the start with Elhousine behind you, similar to 2025. And then how did the back half of the race play out?
Kiriago: For sure. Today, it was a very fantastic day for me because the race started. I was running alone after 500 meters, I started running alone. I ran up to 10k where the Elhousine closes the gap with my colleague Patrick behind some meters. That’s where I tried to talk with Elhousine to come to help me, but he ignores. I said that if you ignore, let us wait for your strategy. We’ll see if it will help you, yeah.
iRunFar: It looked like a very strategic race. Was there a moment toward the end where you felt like you really had to push extra hard to finish in first? Or what did that feel like in the final stages of the race?
Kiriago: For sure, at the last part, Elhousine, according to my mind, I was knowing that Elhousine, he will use the last year’s strategy, waiting for the last downhill meters. Before the reaching of the downhill meters, I tried to reduce my speed so that I will have some energy for the attack. But he attacked the high area before I attacked. I responded behind, I used the same strategy.
When we come to the 600 meters, he tries to use, his stupidity of kicking somebody will help, but he didn’t hit me. I tell him, “If you continue like this, this is not a sport.” That’s why I tried to accelerate a little bit, and I managed to move from him because I don’t want to fight on the competition.
iRunFar: You two are both very passionate competitors, yeah?
Kiriago: Yes, for sure. But we need, in a sport, you know, when you let somebody win with a genuine, not kicking somebody. Because from Mammoth, you saw it was near to get Patrick [Kipngeno], injured also me today. But unfortunately, he didn’t hit me.
iRunFar: That’s good. But when you cross the finish line, is it handshakes and hugs and high-fives?
Kiriago: No sometime, he was not willing to give me, but finally give me, but that’s life. Competitors, sometimes they don’t work together, but we know the sports. If you are not with having the appreciation that you saying that somebody has won, you celebrate like he’s stronger than you today. Know where you go in sports, you should be humble.
iRunFar: Yeah. It certainly seems, regardless, you both brought the best out of each other competitively. You ran extra fast because of being such fierce competitors.
Kiriago: Yes, of course.
iRunFar: When you did cross the finish line, because this is your first victory in the United States, is that correct?
Kiriago: Yes. It’s the first victory in a year.
iRunFar: First victory after both Mammoth and being a Broken Arrow in the past.
Kiriago: Yes, yeah.
iRunFar: How did that feel?
Kiriago: So, I’m excited to have a victory in United States. I’m looking forward to have more titles. I’m going back for preparation. We meet next year for the another races. Also, looking forward to this race again, to confirm.
iRunFar: Yeah. Well, how are you going to celebrate now?
Kiriago: For sure, at the moment I’m going back to Kenya. I’m preparing for the Golden Trail Series for the 50 of next month in Canada to see how things will go there.
iRunFar: Yeah, very good. Are you going to have a fun meal or night out in the United States to celebrate?
Kiriago: For sure. We have our colleagues from On, we planned today, we want to have the Kenyan food, we want to cook Ugali. With some chicken wings. So we are going to celebrate. I invite you.
iRunFar: Oh, yes, please.
Kiriago: Yes.
iRunFar: We’d love to come. Very good. What can we bring?
Kiriago: Pardon?
iRunFar: Can we bring anything to share?
Kiriago: Yes, we share.
iRunFar: Good, good. Well, congratulations. It was an inspiring race to watch, and we’re looking forward to have you back next year.
Kiriago: Yeah, thank you. I will be back.
iRunFar: And this is your 2026 Broken Arrow 23k champion, Philemon Kiriago.
