Alex Masai

{{Short description|Kenyan long-distance runner (born 1997)}} {{Use dmy dates|date=July 2024}} {{Infobox sportsperson | name = Alex Masai | birth_date = {{b-da|5 February 1997}}<ref name=wa>{{World Athletics}}</ref><ref name=t>{{Tilastopaja|300167}}</ref> | birth_name = | birth_place = | full_name = | native_name = | nickname = | image = Alex Masai 2025 Chicago Marathon.jpg | imagesize = | caption = Alex Masai at mile 25 of the 2025 Chicago Marathon before finishing 3rd overall. | country = {{flagg|cncie|USA}} | sport = Sport of athletics | event = 5000 metres<br>10000 metres | pb = {{ubl |'''5000m''': 13:18.96 (2024) |'''10,000m''': 27:42.80 (2023) |'''Marathon''': 2:04:37 (2025) }} | club = HOKA One One<ref name=t /> | other_interests = | relatives = | spouse = | hometown = Kitale, Kenya and Eldoret, Kenya<ref name=naz /><ref name=c>{{cite web |title=Alex Masai: Men's Cross Country / Track |url=https://gohofstra.com/sports/mens-cross-country/roster/alex-masai/6992 |website=Hofstra Pride |access-date=2 August 2024}}</ref><ref name=c2>{{cite web |title=Alex Masai: Cross Country |url=https://www.monroecollegemustangs.com/sports/cross-country/roster/alex-masai/4418 |website=Monroe Mustangs |access-date=2 August 2024}}</ref> | retired = | death_date = | death_place = | website = | coach = | coaching = | agent = | turnedpro = | education = {{ubl |Mang'u High School |Moi University |Monroe College |Hofstra University }} | collegeteam = {{ubl |Monroe Mustangs |Hofstra Pride }} | height = 171 cm<ref name=t /> | weight = 57 kg<ref name=t /> | nationals = {{ubl |'''2021 NCAA XC''' |{{bull}} 10km XC, 32nd |'''2021 NCAAs''' |{{bull}} 10,000m, 6th |{{bull}} 5000m, 10th }} | medaltemplates = {{ medal | Comp | World Marathon Majors }} {{ medal | B |2025 Chicago|Marathon}} | updated = July 2024 }}

'''Alex Chesiro Masai''' (born 5 February 1997) is a Kenyan long-distance runner based in the United States. After initially specializing in the 5000 metres, he debuted in the marathon in 2024 to finish 9th at the 2024 Chicago Marathon. He is the brother of Olympians Moses Masai and Linet Masai, and he finished 6th at the 2021 NCAA Division I Outdoor Track and Field Championships in the 5000 m. At the 2025 Chicago Marathon, he finished in 3rd.

==Career== Masai initially ran for Mang'u High School in Kenya, winning district cross country running championships in 2012 and 2013.<ref name=c /> He was recruited to the Monroe Mustangs track and field program where he finished 8th at the 2017 NJCAA national cross country championships. In 2018, Masai transferred to join the Hofstra Pride track and field team in the NCAA Division I.<ref name=c />

In 2020, Masai qualified for the 2020 NCAA Division I Indoor Track and Field Championships with a 13:28 5000 metres clocking, but the championships were canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.<ref name=c /> Running unattached that fall, Masai set personal bests in the mile and 10,000 m.<ref name=ds /> The following year, Masai qualified for the 2021 NCAA outdoor championships in two events, finishing 10th and 6th in the 5000 m and 10,000 metres respectively.<ref name=t /> Masai finished 32nd at the 2021 NCAA Division I Cross Country Championships individually.<ref name=t /> Masai credited his success to switching between altitude training in Eldoret and sea-level training in Hempstead, New York.<ref name=hc />

In August 2021, Masai signed with the HOKA One One Northern Arizona Elite professional running group.<ref name=naz />

During the 2024 indoor season, Masai set a personal best of 13:18.16 for 5000 m.<ref name=t /> Making his debut at the 2024 Chicago Marathon, Masai placed 9th in 2:08:51.<ref name=t /> Masai finished 3rd at the 2025 Chicago Marathon with a time of 2:04:37.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Prevor |first=Harry |date=2025-10-12 |title=Kiplimo Wins, Conner Mantz Sets U.S. Record: Chicago Marathon 2025 Recap |url=https://www.flotrack.org/articles/14620052-kiplimo-wins-conner-mantz-sets-us-record-chicago-marathon-2025-recap |access-date=2025-10-12 |website=FloTrack |language=en}}</ref>

==Personal life== Masai is from Kitale, Kenya and Eldoret, Kenya.<ref name=naz>{{cite web |title=Alex Masai - NAZ Elite |url=https://nazelite.com/athletes/alex-masai/ |website=NAZ Elite |access-date=2 August 2024}}</ref> He attended Mang'u High School in Thika, Kenya where he played handball and ran track, often training with his sister.<ref name=ds>{{cite web |title=Alex Masai's Push To The Front Built On Family Encouragement |url=https://www.runnerspace.com/news.php?news_id=614344 |website=DyeStat |access-date=2 August 2024}}</ref> Masai originally attended Moi University for college, without participating in sports. After he moved to the U.S., he majored in criminal justice at Monroe College before transferring to Hofstra University.<ref name=c /><ref name=c2 />

His brother is Moses Masai, who finished 4th in the 2008 Olympic 10K and 12th in the 2012 Olympic 10K.<ref name=c /> His older sister Linet Masai also runs professionally and has represented Kenya at the Olympics.<ref name=hc>{{cite web |title=Alex Masai running towards Olympic dreams |url=https://www.thehofstrachronicle.com/category/sports/2019/9/16/masai-looks-to-reach-new-heights |website=The Hofstra Chronicle |access-date=2 August 2024}}</ref> He has a second sister, Maggie Masai, who is a 2:22 marathon runner.<ref name=naz />

==Statistics== ===Personal best progression=== {| class="wikitable sortable" |+ 5000m progression |- ! # !! Mark !!class=unsortable| {{Abbr|Pl.|Place}} !! Competition !! Venue !! Date !!class=unsortable| {{Abbr|Ref.|References}} |- |align=center| 1 || 14:06.61 || {{Gold1}} || Bison Outdoor Classic || Lewisburg, PA ||align=right| {{dts|14 Apr 2018}} ||<ref>{{Tilr|12905773}}</ref> |- |align=center| 2 || 14:00.07 || {{Bronze3}} {{sma|(Round 1)}} || Penn Relays || Philadelphia, PA ||align=right| {{dts|25 Apr 2018}} ||<ref>{{Tilr|12906328}}</ref> |- |align=center| 3 || 13:53.65 || {{Gold1}} || Boston University Last Chance Qualifier || Boston, MA ||align=right| {{dts|23 Feb 2019}} ||<ref>{{Tilr|12918684}}</ref> |- |align=center| 4 || 13:28.55 || {{Bronze3}} {{sma|(Round B)}} || Boston University Last Chance Invitational || Boston, MA ||align=right| {{dts|27 Feb 2020}} ||<ref>{{Tilr|12958631}}</ref> |- |align=center| 5 || 13:24.68 || 10th || NCAA Championships || Eugene, OR ||align=right| {{dts|10 Jun 2021}} ||<ref>{{Tilr|12988658}}</ref> |- |align=center| 6 || 13:22.53 || 11th {{sma|(Round 2)}} || Boston University David Hemery Valentine Invitational || Boston, MA ||align=right| {{dts|11 Feb 2022}} ||<ref>{{Tilr|13002547}}</ref> |- |align=center| 7 || 13:18.96 || 6th || Boston University David Hemery Valentine Invitational || Boston, MA ||align=right| {{dts|9 Feb 2024}} ||<ref>{{Tilr|13055052}}</ref> |}

==References== {{reflist}}

==External links== * {{sports links}}

Category:Living people Category:1997 births Category:Kenyan men middle-distance runners Category:Kenyan men long-distance runners Category:Hofstra Pride men's track and field athletes Category:Monroe Mustangs men's track and field athletes Category:Athletes from Eldoret Category:People from Kitale Category:Moi University alumni Category:Alumni of Mang'u High School Category:21st-century Kenyan sportsmen