Nyandika Maiyoro

Although Kenyans would later come to dominate distance running, Nyandika Maiyoro was the first top Kenyan distance runner. He finished fourth in the 3-miles at the 1954 British Empire and Commonwealth Games and, at that competition in 1958, he placed 12th in the 3-miles and was eliminated in the heats of the mile. At the 1956 Olympics, Maiyoro captained the Kenyan athletics team. He had first been noticed in 1952 when he won the Empire Games 5K in Madagascar, despite starting the race late because he did not understand the instructions. At the 1954 AAA Championships in London, Maiyoro placed fourth in the 3-miles, stunning the British crowd, who had never seen African distance runners at the top level before.

Maiyoro was initially employed as a veterinary scout by the colonial officers. He would later become the caretaker of Kisii Municipal Stadium, retiring in 2002. He was made a Member of British Empire (MBE), by the Queen of England in 1961, was awarded the Silver Star Medal by retired President Moi in 1987, and was given the Distinguished Service Award by Kenyatta University in 1995.

Personal Best: 5000 – 13:53.25 (1960).