Ed Bird Breaks UK 5000m Record on Day One of Raleigh Relays
RALEIGH, N.C. – The Kentucky Wildcats concluded day one of their second distance-only meet of the 2025-26 season today in Raleigh, N.C. at the annual Raleigh Relays.
The day started with the men’s 1500m event, with freshmen Nicola Baiocchi and Levi Kipkurui Bichii placing 40th and 53rd, respectively, with personal best times of 3:45.33 and 3:46.21.
Collins Kiprop Kipngok followed that by returning to the 3000m steeplechase event, the same event he won a SEC Championship during his freshman year in 2025. He finished a full five second ahead of the rest of the field, claiming the top spot on the leaderboard with a time of 8:24.48.
In the final event of the day, Ed Bird broke his Kentucky school record time with a fifth-place finish and a mark of 13:38.36. He improved his previous record time by nearly a full second, which now stands at five seconds faster than any other time in Wildcat history.
Tomorrow’s events for the Wildcats will begin with the women’s 1500m event at 3:30 p.m. ET, featuring freshman Doricah Minsari Isoe and Lyric Olson, followed by Noel Barlette competing in the women’s 3000m steeplechase at 5:03 p.m. ET.
Day two in Raleigh will conclude with the women’s 5000m race at 6:12 p.m. ET, featuring Elly Heine, Ava Hendren, Ally Kruger and Ann Lemirisho.
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Event Schedule
| Raleigh Relays: Thursday, March 26: ALL TIMES IN EASTERN TIME | |||
| Men’s 1500m | 4:05 p.m. | FINAL | 40. Nicola Baiocchi – 3:45.33 (PR)
53. Levi Kipkurui Bichii – 3:46.21 (PR) 99. Jackson Wyatt – 3:49.05 105. Tony Anania – 3:49.40 (PR)
|
| Men’s 3000m Steeplechase | 5:30 p.m. | FINAL | 1. Collins Kiprop Kipngok – 8:24.48
|
| Men’s 5000m | 6:33 p.m. | FINAL | 5. Ed Bird – 13:38.36 (PR) (Kentucky Record)
102. Caden Miracle – 14:25.42 (PR) 107. Eyan Turk – 14:27.55 |
| Raleigh Relays: Friday, March 27: ALL TIMES IN EASTERN TIME | |||
| Women’s 1500m | 3:30 p.m. | FINAL | Doricah Minsari Isoe, Lyric Olson
|
| Women’s 3000m Steeplechase | 5:03 p.m. | FINAL | Noel Barlette
|
| Women’s 5000m | 6:12 p.m. | FINAL | Elly Heine, Ava Hendren, Ally Kruger, Ann Lemirisho |
