Kemoy Campbell
Kemoy Campbell (born January 14, 1991) is a retired Jamaican distance runner who competed in various events from 800 meters to 5000 metres. Since competing in the American collegiate circuit, he has developed a reputation for having remarkable range, having competitive experience from the 800 meters to the 10K. Campbell holds multiple Jamaican records in athletics.
| Personal information | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Nationality | Jamaican | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Born | January 14, 1991 Mandeville, Jamaica | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Country |  Jamaica | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Sport | Track and Field | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Event(s) | 1500 meters, Mile, 5000 meters | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| College team | South Plains College Arkansas Razorbacks | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Club | Reebok | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Turned pro | 2015 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Achievements and titles | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| World finals | 2015 5000 m, 31st (h) 2017 5000 m, 10th | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Olympic finals | 2016 5000 m, 25th (h) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Personal best(s) |
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Medal record
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Running career
Youth
As a youngster, Campbell ran on the track team of Bellefield High School, in Manchester Parish, Jamaica. Although the overwhelming majority on the team were sprinters, Campbell was coached for distance running; one of his first races was a 5K road race.[2] While still in Bellefield HS, Campbell was scouted by the University of Arkansas, the school he would attend many years later.[2] In 2010, he became the first Jamaican high schooler to win the high school boys 3000m at the Penn Relays.[3]
Collegiate
Campbell first ran with South Plains College of Levelland, Texas, with whom he won NJCAA titles in the 800 meters and in cross country.[2] He subsequently transferred to the same university which had scouted him back in Jamaica, University of Arkansas. At Arkansas, Campbell was coached by Chris Bucknam. At the 2013 NCAA DI Outdoor T&F Championships, Campbell placed fifth in the men's 5000 meters final and placed second in the men's 3000 meters at the 2013 NCAA Division 1 Indoor Track and Field Championships.
Professional
Campbell opened the indoor season with an altitude 4:02.59 mile in Flagstaff, Arizona representing New Balance on January 22, 2016.[4] Campbell set a PR and Jamaican indoor record in the men's 3000 meters representing New Balance at the 2016 Millrose Games on February 20.[5]
Kemoy Campbell placed fifth in 13:30.09 in the 5000 metres on May 20, 2016 at the Hoka One One Mid Distance Classic hosted by Occidental College.[6]
On February 26, 2017, Campbell ran 13:14.45 indoors at the BU Last Chance meet to break the Jamaican 5000m record.[7]
Kemoy added a fourth national championship title to his collection on June 23, 2017, when he won the 5000m.[8]
On August 12, 2017, Kemoy became the first male Jamaican distance runner to compete in a final at the IAAF World Championships in London. He finished 10th with a time of 13:39.74.[9]
During the Millrose Games in 2019, Campbell lost consciousness due to sudden cardiac arrest, and CPR was performed by bystanders.[10] A defibrillator had to be used to revive him. Campbell was setting the pace in the men's 3000m event.[11]
On September 5, 2019, Campbell announced his retirement from competitive running.
He is currently coaching track and has been forced to limit his physical activity on the orders of his cardiologist.[10]
References
- All-Athletics. "Profile of Kemoy Campbell".
- Kissane, John A. (March 25, 2013). "5 Minutes With Kemoy Campbell".
- "The Penn Relays - April 27-29, 2023". pennrelaysonline.com. Retrieved May 23, 2023.
- 2016 New Balance Games Results
- 2016 Millrose Games Results
- "2016 Hoka One One Mid Distance Classic". Retrieved May 23, 2023.
- "Lancer Timing Services - Contractor License". Lancer Timing Services. February 26, 2017. Retrieved May 23, 2023.
- "Archived copy". Archived from the original on October 16, 2017. Retrieved October 16, 2017.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link) - "5000 Metres Result | IAAF World Championships London 2017".
- "Kemoy Campbell: Story of Olympian & Sudden Cardiac Arrest". May 28, 2020.
- "Kemoy Campbell Collapses While Pacing Men's 3K at Millrose Games". February 11, 2019.