By Eldoret Leo 
Uasin Gishu’s 18-year-old Edmund Serem delivered Kenya’s first gold medal at the 2026 Commonwealth Games after leading a clean sweep of the men’s 3,000-metre steeplechase in Glasgow, Scotland, on Monday, July 27.
Serem crossed the finish line in 8 minutes, 18.23 seconds, narrowly beating compatriot Simon Koech, who secured silver in 8:18.59. Leonard Bett followed in 8:21.63 to claim bronze and complete a commanding Kenyan 1–2–3 finish.
The race began with the Kenyan trio staying close to the front and carefully controlling the pace. Bett led at the 1,000-metre mark before Koech moved into first place as the speed increased. By the final lap, Serem, Koech and Bett had opened a clear gap over the rest of the field, guaranteeing that all three medals would go to Kenya.
Koech entered the closing stages in front, but Serem steadily reduced the gap along the back straight. The decisive moment came after the final barrier, when Serem produced a powerful finishing kick and passed Koech in the last metres to take the title.
The victory was especially significant because it gave Team Kenya its first gold medal of the Games and raised the country’s overall tally to five medals after five days of competition. It also reinforced Kenya’s long-standing reputation as a major force in the 3,000-metre steeplechase.
For Uasin Gishu, the result carried additional pride. Serem was born in Muyeng’wet village in Kabao, Uasin Gishu County, an area with a rich distance-running tradition. Despite being only 18 years old, he is already ranked among the world’s leading steeplechasers and holds a personal best of 8:01.61.
Serem’s rise has been rapid. He is a world under-20 champion, a World Championships bronze medallist and one of Kenya’s brightest young athletics prospects.
His Glasgow triumph, supported by Koech’s silver and Bett’s bronze, showed how disciplined pacing and a decisive final kick delivered one of Kenya’s strongest performances at the Games. The clean sweep also underlined the depth of talent in Kenya’s next generation. Celebrations followed across Uasin Gishu and the country.
Robert Mutasi