Photo: jenaragon94—CC BY 2.0
Michael Saruni
- Born
- Jun 18, 1995 (31 years old)
- Birthplace
- Eldama Ravine, Kenya
- Events
- 800 Metres Short Track · 600 Metres Short Track
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. 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. 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. In 2017 NCAA Division I Outdoor Track and Field Championships 800 final, champion Emmanuel Korir tripped Saruni at 600 meters. Saruni was controversially excluded from the Kenyan 2017 World Championships team by Athletics Kenya due to a misunderstanding of IAAF policies. 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, 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). 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. In 2022, Saruni was given a provisional suspension for anti-doping rules violations. He has been suspended for 4 years in 2024.
As of Oct 27, 2026: 800 Metres Short Track 1:45.19, 600 Metres Short Track 1:14.79, 2022 season best 1:46.32 (Jan 29, 2022, Armory Track&Field Center, New York, NY (USA) (i)) · Last competition: Meeting International Mohammed VI d'Athletisme de Rabat, Complexe Sportif Prince Moulay Abdellah, Rabat - Diamond Discipline, Jun 5, 2022, 1:47.60 · Area record (800 Metres Short Track) · 31 years old
Personal bests
WA points calculator →Progression
| Season | Discipline | Result | Wind | Date | Competitions |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 600m Indoor | 1:16.82 | – | Jan 22, 2022 | Convention Center, Albuquerque, NM (USA) (i) |
| 2022 | 600m-short-track Indoor | 1:16.82 | – | Jan 22, 2022 | Convention Center, Albuquerque, NM (USA) (i) |
| 2022 | 600m-short-track | 1:16.82 | – | Jan 22, 2022 | – |
| 2022 | 800m | 1:46.14 | – | May 12, 2022 | Puerto Rico International Athletics Classic, Estadio Francisco Montaner, Ponce |
| 2022 | 800m-short-track Indoor | 1:46.32 | – | Jan 29, 2022 | Millrose Games, Armory Track&Field Center, New York, NY (i) - Invitational Events |
| 2021 | 800m | 1:44.54 | – | Aug 1, 2021 | The XXXII Olympic Games |
| 2021 | 800m-short-track Indoor | 1:45.34 | – | Feb 21, 2021 | American Track League 4 |
| 2021 | 1500m | 3:45.84 | – | Apr 10, 2021 | Miramar Invitational, Ansin Sports Complex, Miramar, FL |