Caroline Nyaga

Caroline Nyaga (born 10 July 1993) is a Kenyan long-distance runner. She arrived at the 2022 African Championships without even a pair of suitable running shoes, but after being gifted a pair from Faith Kipyegon, she won a bronze medal in the 5000 metres and then two days later won gold in the 10,000 metres.

Career
Though Nyaga ran two road races in England and Wales in 2017, she did not debut at an international championship until 2019, earning her first berth to the African Games by finishing 3rd at the Kenyan Athletics Championships 10,000 m in 32:30.63. At the Games race, Nyaga finished 5th in 32:24.17 as the second Kenyan finisher.

After failing to make the Kenyan 2019 World Championships and 2021 Olympics teams, Nyaga secured her next national podium finish at the 2022 Kenyan Championships 5000 m, running 15:32.11 to finish 2nd behind Beatrice Chebet. At first, this was not enough earn her a spot on the Kenyan African Championships team, but another Kenyan athlete's late withdrawal freed up a spot for Nyaga in both the 5000 m and 10,000 m. Nyaga arrived at the championships with only run-down trainers, and she and her coach had to seek advice from Faith Kipyegon, who gave Nyaga new running shoes before the race despite not having met Nyaga before. She had a very successful championships, winning a bronze medal in the 5000 m followed by a gold medal two days later in the 10,000 m. She claimed that an encouraging note from Kipyegon, passed through Nyaga's coach, motivated her to win the 10,000 m title.

In 2023, Nyaga finished 7th at the Kenyan World Championships 5000 m trials, failing to make the Kenyan Worlds team. After seven laps, Faith Kipyegon began to pull away with two other athletes, and Nyaga struggled to stay with the trio and was passed by three other athletes by the finish. Nyaga later said that her issue was holding her kick for the last lap, and that she would work on her issues and bounce back for the 2024 Summer Olympics.