Doris Lemngole during a previous race/ HANDOUTThree-time National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) champion Doris Lemngole is banking on her blistering early-season start as she sets her sights on chasing top honours in the 2026 campaign.
The 23-year-old has enjoyed an impressive run on the Indoor circuit so far, signalling her intent with a series of strong performances.
Lemngole opened her year with a Mile race at the Orange and Purple Invitational on January 23, clocking 4:32.69 to finish third.
Silvia Jelelgo claimed victory in 4:31.50, while the Netherlands’ Suus Altorf finished second in 4:31.62.
Over the weekend, the Kenyan star produced a commanding display over 3,000m, storming to victory at the Millrose Games in 8:31.39.
Britain’s Hannah Nuttall settled for second in 8:32.94, with American Jane Hedengren completing the podium in 8:34.98.
Lemngole expressed delight with her performance, describing it as a perfect start to what she termed her first major Indoor assignment of the season.
“I am so happy about my performance. My coach told me to trust myself despite this being my first major Indoor race of the season,” Lemngole said.
She, however, admitted that victory had not been part of her expectations going into the race. “I didn’t expect to win, but I just trusted in my coach’s plan and decided to push myself,” she added.
The youngster is now hopeful of adding the Indoor NCAA 3,000m title to her rapidly growing trophy cabinet. “I have been aiming to win the Indoor 3,000m race, and I hope I can win it this year,” she noted.
At last year’s NCAA Indoor Championships, Lemngole finished second in the 3,000m, clocking 9:01.64, narrowly behind Canada’s Ceili McCabe, who won in 9:01.18.
Lemngole already has her next assignment lined up, with a 5,000m showdown scheduled for February 13 at the Boston University Valentine Invitational. “I will be running the 5,000m at the Boston University Valentine Invitational,” she confirmed.
Competing for the University of Alabama, the versatile distance runner enjoyed an explosive 2025 season, sweeping three NCAA titles.
She claimed the Indoor 5,000m crown in 15:05.93 before backing it up outdoors with a flawless run to win the 3,000m steeplechase title in a personal best of 8:58.15. She then capped off the year in style, winning the NCAA cross country crown in 18:25.4.
Her rich vein of form throughout the 2025 season earned Lemngole the prestigious Bowerman Award, the highest honour bestowed on an athlete in the NCAA circuit.
Lemngole highlighted the accolade as a major source of motivation heading into the new season.
“The Bowerman trophy motivated me to keep going and keep pushing myself for better results,” she said.
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