Paul Kipsiele Koech

Birth dateNov 10, 1981

BirthplaceKenya, Kenya

Height1.70 m

Weight60 kg

Paul Kipsiele Koech is a Kenyan runner born on 10 November 1981 in Kapchepkoro, near Sotik. He specializes in the 3000 metres steeplechase, an event in which he holds a personal best of 7:54.31 minutes, the third fastest time in history. Koech won the Olympic bronze medal in the steeplechase at the 2004 Athens Games.

Despite being one of the fastest steeplechasers ever, Koech struggled at the Kenyan national trials and often missed selection for major championship teams. He nevertheless enjoyed remarkable consistency on the international circuit, competing at all seven IAAF World Athletics Final meetings and finishing in the top three every time, the only athlete to accomplish that feat. He became the inaugural Diamond League steeplechase Diamond Trophy winner in 2010 and also set world bests in the rarely contested indoor 2000 metres steeplechase, running 5:17.04 in 2010 and improving it to 5:13.77 in 2011.

Koech also found success in cross country, winning the Cinque Mulini in 2006 and the Iris Lotto Cross Cup in 2007. He holds steeplechase meet records at the Prefontaine Classic, Adidas Grand Prix, and DN Galan.

Key facts

3000 m steeplechase

7:54.31

#4 all-time

2 Miles Short Track

8:06.48

2026 season best

3:59.96

May 27, 2026 · Ulinzi Sports Complex, Langata, Nairobi (KEN)

2026 season best

Last competition

Athletics Kenya National Police Service Track and Field Championships

May 27, 2026 · 3:59.96

Athletics Kenya National Police Service Track and Field Championships

Medals

Olympic Games: 1 bronze

Age

44 years old

As of Sep 16, 2026: 3000 m steeplechase 7:54.31 (#4 all-time), 2 Miles Short Track 8:06.48, 2026 season best 3:59.96 (May 27, 2026, Ulinzi Sports Complex, Langata, Nairobi (KEN)) · Last competition: Athletics Kenya National Police Service Track and Field Championships, May 27, 2026, 3:59.96 · Olympic Games: 1 bronze · 44 years old

Personal bests

3:37.92

7:32.78

13:02.69

1:01:03

2:12:02

7:54.31

5:01.84

5:01.84

7:32.78

28:25

13:02.69

8:06.48

8:06.48

🏅

Medals

	🥇	🥈	🥉	Total
Olympic Games	-	-	1	1

Performance Charts

Season bests

Season	Discipline	Result	Wind	Date	Trend	Competitions
2026	1500m	3:59.96	-	May 27, 2026	↓	Athletics Kenya National Police Service Track and Field Championships
2025	Semi	1:06:09	-	Sep 6, 2025	↓	Millennium Half Marathon
2024	Semi	1:04:18	-	May 19, 2024	↓	Semi Marathon des Olonnes
2022	Marathon	2:18:01	-	Apr 17, 2022	↓	Izmir Marathon
2020	3000m	8:18.98	-	Jan 17, 2020	↓	Miramas (FRA) (i)
2020	3000m-short-track	8:18.98	-	Jan 17, 2020	↓	Miramas (FRA) (i)
2019	1500m	3:46.97	-	Jul 12, 2019	↓	Nairobi (KEN)
2019	3000mSt	8:41.32	-	Jun 13, 2019	↓	Meeting National
2019	10Kilometr	30:44	-	Jun 8, 2019	↓	Melun (FRA)
2019	Semi	1:05:31	-	Jun 16, 2019	↓	Semi Marathon la Pegasus
2018	3000m-short-track	7:41.97	-	Feb 13, 2018	↓	Meeting Hauts-de-France Pas-de-Calais, Liévin (i)
2018	3000m	7:41.97	-	Feb 13, 2018	↓	Meeting Hauts-de-France Pas-de-Calais, Liévin (i)
2018	3000mSt	8:23.22	-	May 26, 2018	↓	Eugene Prefontaine Classic, Hayward Field, Eugene, OR - Promotional Events
2018	Semi	1:03:49	-	Sep 23, 2018	↓	Montbéliard-Belfort Le Lion Semi Marathon
2017	1500m	3:48.7h	-	May 16, 2017	↓	Nairobi (KEN)
2017	10Kilometr	29:57	-	May 21, 2017	↓	Bengaluru (IND)
2017	Semi	1:01:03	-	Mar 12, 2017	↓	The Hague (NED)
2017	Marathon	2:12:02	-	Apr 9, 2017	↓	Rotterdam (NED)
2016	3000m-short-track	7:45.09	-	Feb 3, 2016	↓	Düsseldorf (GER) (i)
2016	3000m	7:45.09	-	Feb 3, 2016	↓	Düsseldorf (GER) (i)
2016	3000mSt	8:08.32	-	Jul 15, 2016	↓	Monaco Herculis, Stade Louis II, Monaco - Diamond Discipline
2016	5000m	13:23.10	-	Jul 23, 2016	↑	London Müller Anniversary Games, Olympic Stadium, London - Promotional Events
2015	3000m-short-track	7:39.68	-	Feb 25, 2015	↓	Metz (FRA) (i)
2015	3000m	7:39.68	-	Feb 25, 2015	↓	Metz (FRA) (i)
2015	3000mSt	8:10.24	-	Sep 3, 2015	↓	Weltklasse Zürich, Letzigrund, Zürich - Diamond Discipline
2015	2MilesShor	8:13.46	-	Feb 21, 2015	↓	Barclaycard Arena, Birmingham (GBR) (i)
2015	2Miles	8:13.46	-	Feb 21, 2015	↓	Barclaycard Arena, Birmingham (GBR) (i)
2015	5000m	13:07.74	-	Sep 11, 2015	↑	Bruxelles Memorial Van Damme, Boudewijnstadion, Bruxelles - Diamond Discipline
2015	10Kilometr	28:25	-	Oct 11, 2015	↓	Berlin (GER)
2014	1500m	3:40.5h	-	May 17, 2014	↓	Nairobi (KEN)
2014	2000Metres	5:01.84	-	Feb 28, 2014	↑	Metz (FRA) (i)
2014	2000m	5:01.84	-	Feb 28, 2014	-	Metz (FRA) (i)
2014	3000m-short-track	7:37.22	-	Feb 15, 2014	↓	National Indoor Arena, Birmingham (GBR) (i)
2014	3000m	7:37.22	-	Feb 15, 2014	↓	National Indoor Arena, Birmingham (GBR) (i)
2014	3000mSt	8:05.47	-	May 9, 2014	↓	Doha IAAF Diamond League, Suhaim bin Hamad Stadium, Doha - Diamond Discipline
2013	1500m	3:39.6h	-	May 25, 2013	↓	Nairobi (KEN)
2013	3000m-short-track	7:38.35	-	Feb 21, 2013	↓	Globe Arena, Stockholm (SWE) (i)
2013	3000m	7:38.35	-	Feb 21, 2013	↓	Globe Arena, Stockholm (SWE) (i)
2013	3000mSt	8:02.63	-	May 18, 2013	↓	Shanghai IAAF Diamond League Meeting, Shanghai Stadium, Shanghai - Diamond Discipline
2012	1500m	3:39.1h	-	May 18, 2012	↓	Nairobi (KEN)
2012	3000m-short-track	7:46.95	-	Feb 14, 2012	↓	Liévin (FRA) (i)
2012	3000m	7:46.95	-	Feb 14, 2012	↓	Liévin (FRA) (i)
2012	3000mSt	7:54.31	-	May 31, 2012	↓	Roma Golden Gala
2012	5000m-short-track	13:02.69	-	Feb 10, 2012	↑	Düsseldorf (GER) (i)
2012	5000m	13:02.69	-	Feb 10, 2012	↑	Düsseldorf (GER) (i)
2011	2000Metres	5:13.77	-	Feb 13, 2011	↑	Gent (BEL) (i)
2011	3000mSt	7:57.32	-	Jul 22, 2011	↓	Monaco Herculis
2011	5000m-short-track	13:15.64	-	Feb 11, 2011	↑	Düsseldorf (GER) (i)
2011	5000m	13:15.64	-	Feb 11, 2011	↑	Düsseldorf (GER) (i)
2010	2000Metres	5:17.04	-	Feb 14, 2010	↑	Gent (BEL) (i)
2010	3000m	7:32.78	-	Feb 10, 2010	↓	Stockholm (SWE) (i)
2010	3000m-short-track	7:32.78	-	Feb 10, 2010	↓	Stockholm (SWE) (i)
2010	3000mSt	8:02.07	-	Jul 16, 2010	↓	Paris Meeting Areva, Stade de France, Paris-St-Denis - Diamond Discipline
2010	5000m-short-track	13:02.95	-	Feb 3, 2010	↑	Düsseldorf (GER) (i)
2010	5000m	13:02.95	-	Feb 3, 2010	↑	Düsseldorf (GER) (i)
2009	3000m-short-track	7:32.80	-	Feb 18, 2009	↓	Stockholm (SWE) (i)
2009	3000m	7:32.80	-	Feb 18, 2009	↓	Stockholm (SWE) (i)
2009	3000mSt	8:01.26	-	Aug 18, 2009	↓	IAAF World Championships
2009	5000m-short-track	13:09.37	-	Feb 26, 2009	↑	Praha (CZE) (i)
2009	5000m	13:09.37	-	Feb 26, 2009	↑	Praha (CZE) (i)
2008	3000m-short-track	7:36.24	-	Feb 21, 2008	↓	Stockholm (SWE) (i)
2008	3000m	7:36.24	-	Feb 21, 2008	↓	Stockholm (SWE) (i)
2008	3000mSt	8:00.57	-	Jul 20, 2008	↓	Heusden-Zolder (BEL)
2008	2Miles	8:06.48	-	Feb 16, 2008	↓	National Indoor Arena, Birmingham (GBR) (i)
2008	2MilesShor	8:06.48	-	Feb 16, 2008	↓	National Indoor Arena, Birmingham (GBR) (i)
2007	1500m	3:37.92	-	Jun 3, 2007	↓	Glasgow (GBR)
2007	3000m-short-track	7:33.46	-	Feb 17, 2007	↓	National Indoor Arena, Birmingham (GBR) (i)
2007	3000m	7:33.46	-	Feb 17, 2007	↓	National Indoor Arena, Birmingham (GBR) (i)
2007	3000mSt	7:58.80	-	Sep 14, 2007	↓	Boudewijnstadion, Bruxelles (BEL)
2006	3000mSt	7:59.94	-	Jul 14, 2006	↓	Stadio Olimpico, Roma (ITA)
2005	1500m	3:41.6h	-	May 7, 2005	↓	Nairobi (KEN)
2005	3000m	7:33.93	-	May 13, 2005	↓	Doha (QAT)
2005	3000mSt	7:56.37	-	Jul 8, 2005	↓	Stadio Olimpico, Roma (ITA)
2005	5000m	13:11.26	-	Aug 26, 2005	↑	Boudewijnstadion, Bruxelles (BEL)
2004	3000m	7:39.40	-	May 14, 2004	↓	Doha (QAT)
2004	3000mSt	7:59.65	-	Jul 2, 2004	↓	Stadio Olimpico, Roma (ITA)
2003	3000m	7:38.48	-	Sep 7, 2003	↓	Rieti (ITA)
2003	3000mSt	7:57.42	-	Sep 14, 2003	↓	Monaco IAAF World Athletics Final, Stade Louis II, Monaco
2002	3000mSt	8:05.44	-	Aug 16, 2002	↓	Zürich (SUI)
2001	1500m	3:38.87	-	Aug 26, 2001	↓	Leverkusen (GER)
2001	3000m	7:53.52	-	Jul 3, 2001	↓	Västerås (SWE)
2001	3000mSt	8:15.92	-	Aug 31, 2001	↓	Olympiastadion, Berlin (GER)
2001	5000m	13:46.06	-	Jun 27, 2001	↑	Ludvika (SWE)

Discipline	Result	Wind	Date	Competitions
1500m	3:59.96	-	May 27	Athletics Kenya National Police Service Track and Field Championships

Discipline	Result	Wind	Date	Competitions
Semi	1:06:09	-	Sep 6	Millennium Half Marathon

Discipline	Result	Wind	Date	Competitions
Semi	1:04:55	-	Sep 7	KGL Millenium Marathon - Half Marathon & 5km, Independence Square, Accra
Semi	1:04:18	-	May 19	Semi Marathon des Olonnes

Discipline	Result	Wind	Date	Competitions
Marathon	2:18:01	-	Apr 17	Izmir Marathon

Discipline	Result	Wind	Date	Competitions
3000m-short-track	8:18.98	-	Jan 17	Meeting Elite en salle de Miramas, Miramas (i)

Discipline	Result	Wind	Date	Competitions
1500m	3:46.97	-	Jul 12	Kenya Police Ch., Nairobi
Semi	1:05:31	-	Jun 16	Semi Marathon la Pegasus
3000mSt	8:41.32	-	Jun 13	Meeting National
10Kilometr	30:44	-	Jun 8	10 km, Melun
3000mSt	8:45.99	-	May 19	Interclubs, Orange

Discipline	Result	Wind	Date	Competitions
Semi	1:03:49	-	Sep 23	Montbéliard-Belfort Le Lion Semi Marathon
3000mSt	8:27.78	-	May 31	Roma Golden Gala - Pietro Mennea
3000mSt	8:23.22	-	May 26	Eugene Prefontaine Classic, Hayward Field, Eugene, OR - Promotional Events
3000m-short-track	7:41.97	-	Feb 13	Meeting Hauts-de-France Pas-de-Calais, Liévin (i)

Discipline	Result	Wind	Date	Competitions
Semi	1:02:32	-	Sep 24	Montbéliard-Belfort Le Lion Semi Marathon, Belfort
10Kilometr	29:57	-	May 21	Bangalore TCS World 10K, Bengaluru
1500m	3:48.7HT	-	May 16	Nairobi Kenya Police Ch., Nairobi
Marathon	2:12:02	-	Apr 9	Rotterdam Marathon, Rotterdam
Semi	1:01:03	-	Mar 12	The Hague City-Pier-City Half Marathon, The Hague

Discipline	Result	Wind	Date	Competitions
3000mSt	8:29.18	-	Sep 9	Bruxelles Memorial Van Damme, Boudewijnstadion, Bruxelles - Promotional Events
3000mSt	8:32.91	-	Aug 25	Athletissima Lausanne, Stade Olympique de la Pontaise, Lausanne - Diamond Discipline
5000m	13:23.10	-	Jul 23	London Müller Anniversary Games, Olympic Stadium, London - Promotional Events
3000mSt	8:08.32	-	Jul 15	Monaco Herculis, Stade Louis II, Monaco - Diamond Discipline
3000mSt	8:41.26	-	Jul 1	Eldoret Kenyan Olympic Trials, Eldoret
3000mSt	8:34.9HT	-	Jun 30	Eldoret Kenyan Olympic Trials, Eldoret
3000mSt	8:10.19	-	Jun 5	Birmingham British Athletics GP, Alexander Stadium, Birmingham - Diamond Discipline
3000mSt	8:14.46	-	Jun 2	Roma Golden Gala - Pietro Mennea, Stadio Olimpico, Roma - Promotional Events
3000mSt	8:12.33	-	May 22	Meeting International Mohammed VI d'Athletisme de Rabat, Complexe Sportif Prince Moulay Abdellah, Rabat - Promotional Events
3000mSt	8:15.69	-	May 6	Doha IAAF Diamond League, Suhaim bin Hamad Stadium, Doha - Diamond Discipline
5000m	14:16.2HT	-	Mar 18	Nakuru
3000m-short-track	7:45.23	-	Feb 20	Glasgow Indoor Grand Prix, Emirates Arena, Glasgow (i)
3000m-short-track	7:45.58	-	Feb 17	Stockholm Globen Galan, Globe Arena, Stockholm (i)
3000m-short-track	7:45.09	-	Feb 3	Düsseldorf PSD-Bank Meeting, Düsseldorf (i)

Discipline	Result	Wind	Date	Competitions
10Kilometr	28:25	-	Oct 11	Berlin ASICS Grand 10, Berlin
5000m	13:07.74	-	Sep 11	Bruxelles Memorial Van Damme, Boudewijnstadion, Bruxelles - Diamond Discipline
5000m	13:08.86	-	Sep 6	Berlin ISTAF, Olympiastadion, Berlin
3000mSt	8:10.24	-	Sep 3	Weltklasse Zürich, Letzigrund, Zürich - Diamond Discipline
3000mSt	8:31.01	-	Aug 1	Nairobi Kenyan World Championship Trials, Nairobi
3000mSt	8:12.13	-	Jul 25	London Sainsbury's Anniversary Games
3000mSt	8:14.65	-	Jul 4	Paris Meeting AREVA, Stade de France, Paris-St-Denis - Diamond Discipline
3000mSt	8:15.57	-	Jun 14	Meeting International Mohammed VI d'Athletisme de Rabat, Complexe Sportif Prince Moulay Abdellah, Rabat
3000mSt	8:12.20	-	Jun 11	Oslo ExxonMobil Bislett Games, Bislett Stadion, Oslo - Diamond Discipline
3000mSt	8:13.95	-	May 30	Eugene Prefontaine Classic
3000mSt	8:21.01	-	May 20	Beijing IAAF World Challenge, National Stadium, Beijing
3000mSt	8:11.39	-	May 17	Shanghai Golden Grand Prix, Shanghai Stadium, Shanghai - Diamond Discipline
3000m-short-track	7:39.68	-	Feb 25	Metz Meeting National, Metz (i)
2MilesShor	8:13.46	-	Feb 21	Birmingham British Athletics Grand Prix, Barclaycard Arena, Birmingham (i)
3000m-short-track	7:45.41	-	Jan 31	Karlsruhe Internationales Hallenmeeting, Messehalle, Karlsruhe (i)
3000m-short-track	7:45.79	-	Jan 29	Düsseldorf PSD-Bank Meeting, Düsseldorf (i)

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

What is Paul Kipsiele Koech's 3000 m steeplechase personal best?

Paul Kipsiele Koech's 3000 m steeplechase personal best is 7:54.31, set on May 31, 2012 in Stadio Olimpico, Roma (ITA), #4 on the all-time list.

Which events does Paul Kipsiele Koech compete in?

Paul Kipsiele Koech competes in the 3000 m steeplechase and 2 Miles Short Track.

How did Paul Kipsiele Koech perform in 2026?

2026 season best: 3:59.96, set on May 27, 2026 in Ulinzi Sports Complex, Langata, Nairobi (KEN). Last competition: Athletics Kenya National Police Service Track and Field Championships on May 27, 2026, 3:59.96.

How many medals has Paul Kipsiele Koech won?

Paul Kipsiele Koech has won 1 Olympic Games medal.

Paul Kipsiele Koech

Personal bests

Medals

Performance Charts

Season bests

2026

2025

2024

2022

2020

2019

2018

2017

2016

2015

Honours

Frequently asked questions