In a race packed with favorites and seasoned talents, few had their eyes on Brian Musau. But when the bell rang for the final lap at the 2025 NCAA Indoor National Championships, it was the soft-spoken Kenyan, once a little-known athlete from Tumba village, who sprinted past the field and etched his name in history.
Musau, a student-athlete at Oklahoma State University (OSU), tore through the home stretch of the 5,000 metres race inside the scenic Virginia Beach Sports Centre, clocking an astonishing 13 minutes, 11.34 seconds — a new meet record.
As he crossed the finish line, Musau raised his hands skyward in a prayerful gesture, a broad grin lighting up his light-complexioned face, his humble victory made all the more inspiring by his unlikely journey.
From Tumba Village to the World
Musau’s journey is as captivating as his win. Raised in Tumba village in Kenya’s Machakos County, he trained under the guidance of Coach Muteti in Makueni, who he credits as more than a coach—mentor, motivator, and life guide.
“He taught me to never give up, to fight hard, and to always leave everything to God,” Musau said in a post-race virtual interview.
In August 2023, he earned a scholarship to Oklahoma, pursuing Applied Exercise Science. The degree, he says, complements his athletic career.
“It focuses on the science behind sports. It’s not easy balancing both academics and athletics, but I believe in preparing not just as an athlete but also as a coach one day,” Musau explained. “I know running may not last forever. Education is like fuel for my career.”
Musau initially specialized in the 1,500m back in Kenya but quickly transitioned to longer distances upon arriving in the US, running cross country, which sharpened his stamina.
His first national cross-country meet saw him finish eighth in the 10K at just 17, competing against seasoned seniors—a result that boosted his confidence.
“I credit my endurance buildup to my teammate Denis Kipngetich. As an experienced distant runner, having run with Kenya’s seniors at cross country when he was junior, he pulled me along long runs here in the US,” he adds.
“In the US, facilities are excellent. From gym programmes twice a week to physiotherapy, and massages—everything helps keep your body in top condition. Back in Kenya, we have the altitude advantage, but we lack those facilities and tailored diets,” he noted.
A Race of Giants
The field was stacked. Samuel, New Mexico’s distance king and favorite to win had a reputation built on dominance, including blistering 10km performances and cross-country accolades.
Alongside him stood Yaseen Abdala of Arkansas—the Razorbacks’ pride—three-time All-American and Paris Olympian. This was to be Yaseen’s final season of NCAA eligibility, and expectations were sky-high.
Villanova’s Marco Langon, ranked among the top five in the collegiate charts, boasting a personal best of 13:10, was also in the mix. His versatility from 1,500m to 5,000m races made him a dangerous competitor.
The gun went off, and 11 athletes formed an inner pack, while five others sat outside on Virginia’s tight, banked indoor track. Early on, Patrick Kiprono of Arkansas, fresh off winning the SEC 5,000m title, surged to the front, pushing the pace and testing the pack’s resolve. However, by midway, he slid back, tactically positioning himself to chase.
Lead changes were frequent. Yaseen took command at times, as did Evans Kurui, who was determined to split up the dominance of the New Mexico team. In the thick of the battle, Ishmael Kipkurui held steady in fifth, making an impressive NCAA debut.
Rocky Hansen of Wake Forest made a daring move, often glancing back as the laps wound down, trying to hold the surging field at bay.
Through the chaos, Musau remained patient — hovering on the outside lane, tactfully avoiding shoving and jostling, conserving precious energy. With seven laps to go, he tucked in alongside Oklahoma teammate Denis Kipngetich, forming a calculated chase pack.
As the bell rang, signaling two laps left, Samuel of New Mexico kicked, prompting a frenzy. But Musau, confident in the kick he’d honed for months, clung on. The final lap unfolded like a script Musau had rehearsed countless times in his mind.
Down the backstretch, he surged, his strides smooth and controlled, his face betraying no panic. By the time they hit the home stretch, the outcome was clear. Brian Musau was about to deliver one of the biggest upsets in NCAA indoor history.
Tactical Mastery
Heading into Virginia Beach, Musau was ranked fifth. He meticulously studied the start list, knowing that rivals like Habtom Samuel had beaten him before, especially with their fearsome closing speed.
“Most of them had mile times like 3:50. I hadn’t run that fast in the mile, so I focused on endurance and trained specifically for my kick in the last lap,” he said.
Interestingly, Oklahoma State University lacks an indoor track, forcing Musau to adapt by racing frequently. He also had to adjust to the tight indoor curves.
“In Kenya, our athletes are used to longer straights. That’s why when they compete at World Indoors, the tight curves affect them. I had to limit speed in training, knowing indoor races require smart pacing.”
Faith, Family, and Future
Despite his monumental win, Musau remains grounded. He dedicates the victory to his parents and two younger siblings in Kenya. “They weren’t into sports but gave me the freedom to pursue my talent. I always run to make them proud,” he told Pura Vida Sports Africa in a virtual interview.
And to young Kenyan runners, Musau’s message is clear: “Talent without education won’t take you far. Your talent is like a car, but education is the fuel. Balance both.”
With big dreams and a record-breaking NCAA title now under his belt, Brian Musau is well on his way to following in the footsteps of Kenya’s greats — both on the track and beyond.
Final Results – Men’s 5,000m, 2025 NCAA Indoor Championships:
- Brian Musau (Oklahoma State) – 13:11.34
- Habtom Samuel (New Mexico) – 13:11.78
- Rocky Hansen (Wake Forest) – 13:12.65
- Denis Kipngetich (Oklahoma State) – 13:13.71
- Marco Langon (Villanova) – 13:14.16
- Ishmael Kipkurui (New Mexico) – 13:15.14
- Creed Thompson (BYU) – 13:19.24
- Drew Bosley (Northern Arizona) – 13:21.28
All Photos: JOSH GRENADE
Robert Kibet is a freelance journalist based in Nairobi, Kenya. He previously worked as a correspondent for Milele FM. His feature stories on development, the climate crisis, the environment, conflict, human rights, food security, and education have been published in The Guardian UK, Reuters, IPS, DW, The New Humanitarian, and Equal Times.
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