Peter Maru’s record debut merits SEC Freshman of the Week

BIRMINGHAM – Peter Maru’s debut performance in a Razorback uniform produced an Arkansas school record in the 5,000m and earned the Ugandan distance runner the SEC Freshman of the Week honor.

Racing at Boston University in the David Hemery Valentine Invitational, Maru was stationed in second place behind professional Mike Foppen of the Netherlands through 2,800m and then claimed the lead at 3,000m with a split of 7:57.58.

Leading the field to the final lap of the race, Maru posted a time of 13:17.86 as the top collegian in the field and third overall behind a pair of professionals in Ahmed Muhumed (13:16.99) and Anthony Rotich (13:17.52).

Maru bettered the school record of 13:24.32 set by teammate Patrick Kiprop in 2023. He ranks eighth among collegians this season and is 18th on the all-time collegiate list.

Finishing behind Maru were a group of professional runners, which included Athanas Kioko (13:18.44), Foppen (13:18.47) in fourth and fifth. Kiprop, in 15th, was the next collegian finisher in the same section with a 13:27.55.