Moses Kiptanui

Moses Kiptanui — the first man to run the 3000m steeplechase in under eight minutes and one of Kenya's most significant contributors to the tradition of distance running excellence that has defined the country's athletics identity. Kiptanui's three World Championship titles in the steeplechase from 1991 to 1995 and his four world records demonstrated a technical mastery of the barriers and water jump allied to the endurance capacity that Kenyan Highland training produces. A pioneer for the generation of Kenyan distance runners that followed and one of the most complete steeplechasers the event has produced.

Moses Kiptanui was born in Kenya in 1971 and is among the most technically gifted steeplechasers in the history of the event. He won the World Championship in the 3000m steeplechase three consecutive times — 1991, 1993 and 1995 — a record of consistency at the global level. On 16 August 1995 at the Weltklasse meeting in Zürich he became the first man to run the event in under eight minutes, clocking 7:59.18. He also held world records in the 3000m flat. His training under the Kenyan national programme of the early 1990s produced a generation of steeplechase talent, and he remained a mentor and ambassador for the event after retirement.

Revolutionary steeplechaser who dominated the event in early 1990s

• World Champion 3,000m Steeplechase 3x (1991 1993 1995)
• First sub-8 minute steeplechase