Athanas Kioko signs with On
The ceiling is high for Kenyan runner
Zurich, Switzerland – May 26, 2023 - Kenyan Athanas Kioko has signed with the Swiss sportswear brand On, bringing a range of fast times and growing enthusiasm for the sport.
Kioko, a 2022 graduate of Campbell University, has run impressive personal records across a wide range of races, including 3:36:58 and 46:11 in 1500 meters and 10 miles, respectively. However, considering that the 28-year-old has only been running for five years, his ceiling for potential is very high.
“My progress always makes me realize I have much more in store,” he said.
Kioko, originally from Machakos, Kenya, was looking for a way to relax between studying and picked up running as a hobby. The hobby became a passion, and success came quickly; shortly after joining the team at Karatina University, he was made team captain.
Between studying for the SATs, and training, Kioko prepared to come to the United States, and in the fall of 2019, he enrolled at Campbell University in Buies Creek, North Carolina.
Kioko earned 6 All-American honors at Campbell and placed third overall at the NCAA D1 Cross Country Championship. The highest placing in the school’s history.
Between training sessions, Kioko practices photography and graphic design. He also enjoys biking and reading novels as hobbies.
When asked about advice in training and racing, Kioko calls upon something fellow Kenyan and world champion Eliud Kipchoge said to him.
“Kipchoge told me that ‘no matter how fast you get, you don’t become any special, just run your race and in it, a special moment will occur, which will make you remember to make it happen.’”
Kioko has his sights set on racing at the World Championships this year and said that watching the successful transition of NCAA runners into professionals was part of the reason he joined On. “Collegiate runners, such as Joe Klecker, Olli Hoare, Mario Garica Romo, Courtney Wayment, and Yared Nuguse, have been a huge inspiration with how their athletics journey has been in and post-college; it’s a huge impact in my career to join them.”
Favorite shoes:
Long runs-Cloudmonsters
Easy runs- Cloudsurfers
Workout-Cloudboom Echo 3
High-res images available for download here (photo credit: On).
About On
On was born in the Swiss Alps with one goal: to revolutionize the sensation of running by empowering all to run on clouds. Thirteen years after market launch, On delivers industry-disrupting innovation in premium footwear, apparel, and accessories for high-performance running, outdoor, and all-day activities. Fueled by customer recommendation, On’s award-winning CloudTec® innovation, purposeful design, and groundbreaking strides in sportswear’s circular economy have attracted a fast-growing global fan base — inspiring humans to explore, discover and dream on.
On is present in more than 60 countries globally and engages with a digital community on www.on.com.