Running News Daily

In a performance that sent shockwaves through collegiate distance running, Brian Musau of Oklahoma State University clocked a stunning 12:59.82 at the 2025 Sunset Tour in Los Angeles on July 12, becoming only the third college athlete in history to dip under the 13-minute barrier for 5,000 meters.

The 22-year-old Kenyan star, who is also the 2025 NCAA 5,000m champion, executed a perfectly timed race against a world-class field, showcasing both tactical savvy and extraordinary finishing strength. His mark makes him the fastest collegian in the world this year and moves him into rarefied territory alongside two legendary names: Henry Rono of Washington State (13:08.4 in 1978) and Salah Hissou of Morocco (12:58.13 in 1996, while studying in France), both of whom were collegians when breaking 13 minutes.

Musau’s performance also makes him just the third Kenyan to go sub-13 in the 5,000m this season, joining elite countrymen Jacob Krop and Nicholas Kimeli, both ranked among the top 10 in the world. It’s a statement not just about Musau’s individual brilliance but also about Kenya’s enduring depth in distance running.

His coach at Oklahoma State, Dave Smith, called the race “a culmination of three years of hard work, patience, and belief.”

As a result of his historic run, Musau has now been invited to the 2025 Kenyan World Championships Trials, to be held July 22 at Nairobi’s Ulinzi Sports Complex—a high-stakes meet where Kenya’s team for the World Athletics Championships will be selected.

Musau is also a proud member of Townhall Athletics, the growing development and management group guiding several top Kenyan talents.

“This is only the beginning,” Musau told reporters after the race. “My dream is to represent Kenya on the world stage—and now I have that opportunity.”