Ishmael Kipkurui Inks Pro Deal With Nike

Following one of the most dominant 10,000m seasons in collegiate history capped off by a national title in June, New Mexico’s Ishmael Kipkurui has signed a professional contract with Nike and will conclude his Lobo career as the NCAA 10K record holder and a three-time First Team All-American.

He began his professional career immediately after the news went public, representing Nike in the men’s 10,000m at the 50th Prefontaine Classic on Saturday and surpassing his collegiate and UNM record with a 26:47.72 new personal best to finish fifth and earn a spot on the Kenyan National Team ahead of 2025 World Athletics Championships in Tokyo.

“We’re thrilled Ishmael has secured a spot on the Kenyan team for the World Championships in Tokyo,” said UNM Head Coach Darren Gauson. “We’d like to express our gratitude for his contributions to Lobo Track and Field and offer our full support as he embarks on this new chapter with Nike.

“As one of the world’s top 10,000m talents, we can’t wait to see him shine in the future.”

Kipkurui — a true freshman out of Baringo County, Kenya — proved himself to be the class of the 10,000m distance in his first outdoor season for the Lobos, setting the new collegiate record with his 26:50.21 performance at Sound Running’s THE TEN back in March and going on to win the NCAA Final in dominant fashion in Eugene. Kipkurui also finished the year as the fourth-fastest man in collegiate history in the 5,000 meters at (13:09.24) and earned First-Team All-America honors in the 5k at the NCAA Outdoor Championships with a seventh-place finish.

𝗪𝗘 𝗝𝗨𝗦𝗧 𝗪𝗜𝗧𝗡𝗘𝗦𝗦𝗘𝗗 𝗟𝗢𝗕𝗢 𝗚𝗥𝗘𝗔𝗧𝗡𝗘𝗦𝗦.

Ishmael joins the pantheon of Lobo champions and Habtom makes it a 1-2 finish in the Men’s 10,000m final with a blistering kick.

Un. Real.#GoLobos pic.twitter.com/l1lLmgyH8P

— New Mexico XC/T&F (@UNMLoboXCTF) June 12, 2025

Two weeks ago, Kipkurui became just the third men’s semifinalist for The Bowerman in New Mexico’s program history, joining two-time honoree Josh Kerr (2017, 2018) and current teammate Habtom Samuel (2024).

In his first season of competition indoors earlier in the year, Kipkurui finished as a MW Runner-Up in the 3,000m and 5,000m, qualifying for NCAA Indoor Championships in both distances and going on to finish 7th in the 5K and 14th in the 3K, earning First Team and Second Team All-American honors for the first time in his career.

New Mexico’s illustrious cross country and track and field history has seen several Lobos excelling at the collegiate level and going on to turn pro, including Alice Wright, Courtney Frerichs, Josh Kerr, Sammy Silva, Lee Emanuel, Chris Barnicle, Charlotte Arter, Ross Millington, Calli Thackery and Weini Kelati.