Michael Saruni

{{short description|Kenyan middle-distance runner}}

{{infobox sportsperson

| name = Michael Saruni

| image = File:2019 Millrose Games (47008566382).jpg

| caption = Saruni at the 2019 Millrose Games

| nationality = {{KEN}}

| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1995|6|18}}

| birth_place = Eldama Ravine, Kenya

| height = 5 ft 10 in

| sport = Track and field

| event = 800 metres
1500 metres

| collegeteam = UTEP

}}

Michael Saruni (born June 18, 1995) is a Kenyan collegiate middle-distance runner. He was the former world record holder for the indoor 600 m with a time of 1:14.79, set in January 2018.{{cite web|url=https://utep.edu/newsfeed/campus/utep-tracks-michael-saruni-sets-world-indoor-record.html|title=Saruni Sets World Record at Albuquerque Track and Field Meet|website=UTEP Athletics|access-date=2018-05-30}} Representing the University of Texas in El Paso, he also set the all-time collegiate record for 800 m in April 2018, with a time of 1:43.25.{{cite web|url=https://articles.olympicchannel.com/michael-saruni-generates-buzz-with-800m-world-lead/|title=Michael Saruni generates buzz with 800m world lead|website=Olympic Channel|access-date=2018-05-30}}

Michael Saruni graduated from Kabimoi High School in Baringo County - Eldama Ravine, Kenya.

In 2017 NCAA Division I Indoor Track and Field Championships 800 meters final, Saruni won in 1:47, but was disqualified after bumping Piazza who cut into lane 1 in front of Saruni.{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NGMmws-m9bY |title=2017 NCAA M 800M Final Championship Indoor Track and Field |publisher=Too Fast Move Over YouTube |access-date=December 28, 2018}}

In 2017 NCAA Division I Outdoor Track and Field Championships 800 final, champion Emmanuel Korir tripped Saruni at 600 meters.{{cite web|url=https://www.milesplit.com/videos/221331/mens-800m-final-uteps-emmanuel-korir-wins-trips-up-teammate |title=Men's 800m Final - UTEP's Emmanuel Korir wins, trips up teammate |publisher=Joe Battaglia MileSplit |access-date=December 28, 2018}}

Saruni was controversially excluded from the Kenyan 2017 World Championships team by Athletics Kenya due to a misunderstanding of IAAF policies.{{cite web|url=https://www.standardmedia.co.ke/sports/article/2001248452/us-based-saruni-dropped-from-800m-team-for-world-championships|title=US-based Saruni dropped from 800m team for World Championships|first=Jonathan|last=Komen|access-date=2018-05-30}}

In 2018 NCAA Division I Indoor Track and Field Championships 800 meters final, Saruni won in 1:45.15.

Michael Saruni, a sophomore UTEP Miners (University of Texas El Paso), set the NCAA 800 meters record at the 2018 Desert Heat Classic in Tucson, Arizona in 1:43.25 improving NCAA 800 m record of Donavan Brazier (1:43.55 in 2016).{{cite web|url=https://www.watchathletics.com/video/track-and-field/5052/michael-saruni-smahes-ncaa-800m-record-with-1-43-25/?tag=Michael%20Saruni |title=Michael Saruni Smahes NCAA 800m Record with 1:43.25 |publisher=Watch Athletics |access-date=December 28, 2018}}

In 2018 NCAA Division I Outdoor Track and Field Championships 800 meters final, Saruni placed 3rd in 1:45.31.

He qualified to represent Kenya at the 2020 Summer Olympics.{{Cite web|date=2021-06-19|title=Former UTEP national champions Korir and Saruni qualify for Kenyan Olympic team; Amusan, Okagbare headed to Tokyo for Nigeria|url=https://www.ktsm.com/sports/olympics/former-utep-national-champions-korir-and-saruni-qualify-for-kenyan-olympic-team-amusan-okagbare-headed-to-tokyo-for-nigeria/|access-date=2021-06-20|website=KTSM 9 News|language=en-US}}

In 2022, Saruni was given a provisional suspension for anti-doping rules violations.[https://www.adak.or.ke/provisionally-suspended-athletes/ PROVISIONALLY SUSPENDED ATHLETES] He has been suspended for 4 years in 2024.{{Cite web |date=2024-02-11 |title=Doping Double Take: Michael Saruni Served Four-Year Ban After Failed Impersonation Scheme |url=https://marathonhandbook.com/michael-saruni-doping/ |access-date=2024-02-16 |language=en-US}}