Mary Moraa's cousin set for thrilling 800m rivalry at Kip Keino Classic

St. Vincent and the Grenadines’ middle-distance sensation, Shafiqua Maloney, returns to the track with a score to settle. After narrowly missing out on a medal in the women’s 800m at last year’s Olympics—edged out in a dramatic final sprint by Kenya’s world champion Mary Moraa—Maloney is back, driven by unfinished business and the pursuit of redemption.

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This Saturday, 31 May, Maloney will test herself on Kenyan soil, competing at the Ulinzi Sports Complex in Nairobi. Her target: another Moraa—Sarah, Mary’s cousin—who has emerged as a top talent in 2024.

The highly anticipated duel will unfold at the sixth edition of the Absa Kip Keino Classic, a World Athletics Continental Tour Gold event. Sarah Moraa, no longer in her cousin’s shadow, has had a stellar season, claiming the Kip Keino Classic title, the World Junior crown in Cali, Colombia, and the African championship in Douala, Cameroon.

She boasts a personal best of 1:59.39 from last year’s Kip Keino Classic.

Born in Kingstown, St. Vincent, Maloney’s path to elite athletics began far from the spotlight. Her early training involved sprinting up hills, long treks to school, and chasing goats barefoot.

“Growing up, I ran everywhere without realising I was training,” she said in an interview with the Kip Keino Classic Media.

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Her talent was first spotted by a high school coach who noticed her athletic gait while walking upstairs. Her first race ended in defeat. “I lost badly,” she admits. “But it lit something in me. I kept coming back, training harder every time.”

That determination took her to the University of Arkansas, where she became an NCAA star and now trains under elite coach Chris Johnson, alongside Olympians like Shamier Little and Britton Wilson.

Maloney has since clocked a personal best of 1:57.84 and is eyeing a sub-1:56 time—an effort that could earn her a World Championship medal.

“I know I’m close,” she says. “Kenya’s great competition, especially Sarah Moraa, can help push me there. I want us both to put on a show.”

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This marks Maloney’s first trip to Kenya—and to Africa. The experience has already left an impression, thanks to the hospitality and a unique perk: a visit to Nairobi National Park.

“Nairobi is the only city in the world with a national park right within it, just a few meters from the stadium. How cool is that?” She marvels, commending the organisers for showcasing Kenya’s culture and wildlife.

“When athletes come to your country, it shouldn’t just be about the race. It should be about sharing your culture. And wildlife is a huge part of African culture.”

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For Maloney, this race is not just about speed. It is about execution—running a smart, tactical, and clean race.

“You can be in shape, but if your tactics are off, you won’t win. My stride is long, and getting boxed in can be tough, so I’ve been working on racing more freely.”

She has also added the 1500m to her training to build endurance, though she admits it is no easy transition. “The 1500m is no joke. But it helps. I want to be that hybrid athlete with both speed and strength.”

Off the track, Maloney is committed to giving back. Her dream is to set up youth programs in the Caribbean, especially in rural communities like the one she grew up in.

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“There’s so much talent in small villages. If I can create outreach programs or hand out spikes, that would mean everything.

But first, I have to take care of myself and reach a place where I can truly help.”

As she prepares to face Africa’s finest, Maloney is soaking in the atmosphere of the Kip Keino Classic, renowned for its electric crowd and passionate fans.

“To the fans, thank you for welcoming me. Please come out and support. When the crowd is with you, it lifts you,” she says.

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