American Bianca Stubler fired up for Absa Kip Keino Classic Podium
Women's 400m hurdler returns to Kenya seeking medal upgrade after running to the bronze last year
NAIROBI, Kenya, May 28- Bianca Stubler, the American women’s 400m hurdles star has returned to the Absa Kip Keino Classic, where she hopes to produce a season’s best at the event’s new venue, the Ulinzi Sports Complex stadium on Saturday (May 31).
After electrifying fans by winning bronze last year in 56.69 at World Athletics Continental Tour Gold event last year, Stubler is once again looking to feed off the passionate Kenyan crowd and perfect racing conditions to go out faster.
“I’m excited to be back here and race again in such a good environment and a great meet,” said Butler, who arrived in Nairobi on Tuesday night.
“I actually like the new stadium. I heard it’s fast and there’s going to be some records broken here.”
Training out of Texas, where temperatures are currently scorching, Butler welcomed the milder Nairobi weather.
“This feels really good, a nice, warm day with a bit of sun and breeze—that’s perfect for racing.”
The 25-year-old is on her second visit to Africa this year after clocking 57.14 for sixth at the Botswana Golden Grand Prix on April 12.
Significant Milestone
She improved to her year best of 56.52 at the 115th Drake Relays in Indiana where she finished just outside the podium in fourth.
Stubler is using the Absa Kip Keino Classic to fine-tune her form ahead of the U.S. Championships as she targets to make her nation’s team to the Tokyo 2025 World Championships in September.
She’s aiming to dip under 55-seconds—a significant milestone in women’s 400m hurdles.
“Expect to see a personal record and a very fast 400-meter hurdle race,” the confident athlete promised.
The American has been strategic about her calendar, spacing out her events in an effort to peak at the right time.
“We pushed back our races because the World Championships are later this year. This is only my second time overseas, so I’m excited to get back out here and compete.”
Beyond the competition, Butler says the Kip Keino Classic offers something rare, an electric atmosphere.
“The fans were insane,” she recalled from last year.
“I’ve never been in a stadium where I can’t even hear myself think before I run. They were all just happy to see people running and breaking records.”
This year’s women’s 400m hurdles race features a deep field, with top athletes from across the continent and beyond.
But all eyes will be on Butler, who is expected to set the pace—and possibly steal the show.
Despite arriving just three days before the race, the American sprinter showed no signs of travel fatigue.
“Whatever the hotel had, we were eating, it was really good. Some fish. It was awesome,” she said with a laugh.
She called on local fans to come out in force on Saturday.
“Everyone should come. Kip Keino is where the world’s best are racing. It’s an exciting environment. Let’s make it unforgettable.”
All eyes will be on her lane as Stubler seeks to upgrade her bronze from last year.
- Story and photos by Peter Njoroge | Freelance Journalist
