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. 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.

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.

In 2017 NCAA Division I Outdoor Track and Field Championships 800 final, champion Emmanuel Korir tripped Saruni at 600 meters.

Saruni was controversially excluded from the Kenyan 2017 World Championships team by Athletics Kenya due to a misunderstanding of IAAF policies.

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).

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.

In 2022, Saruni was given a provisional suspension for anti-doping rules violations. He has been suspended for 4 years in 2024.

Competitions

YearCompetitionVenuePositionEventNotes
Representing University of Texas at El Paso
2016Conference USA Cross Country ChampionshipsFrank Liske Park Concord, North Carolina6th8000 m24:16.2
2016 NCAA Division I Cross Country ChampionshipsLaVern Gibson Championship Cross Country Course Terre Haute, Indiana228th10,000 m32:08
2017Conference USA Indoor Track and Field ChampionshipsBirmingham Metro CrossPlex1st800 meters1:50.67
1stMile4:03.32
NCAA Men's Division I Indoor Track and Field ChampionshipsCollege Station, TexasDQ 1st800 mDQ 1:47.48
11thDMR9:56.03
Conference USA Outdoor Track and Field ChampionshipsEl Paso, Texas1st800 meters1:47.48
2nd1500 m3:46.15
NCAA Men's Division I Outdoor Track and Field ChampionshipsEugene, Oregon8th800 m2:15.56 (Tripped @ 600 m)
24th4 × 400 m3:18.65
Representing Athletics Kenya
20172017 Athletics Kenya World Championship TrialsNairobi, Kenya3rd800 m1:44.61
IAAF World Championships in AthleticsLondon, United KingdomDNS800 mDNS
Representing University of Texas at El Paso
2018Conference USA Indoor Track and Field ChampionshipsBirmingham Metro CrossPlex1st800 meters1:52.05
2ndMile4:10.39
NCAA Men's Division I Indoor Track and Field ChampionshipsCollege Station, Texas1st800 m1:45.15
Conference USA Outdoor Track and Field ChampionshipsRice University2nd800 meters1:49.71
2nd1500 m3:50.09
NCAA Men's Division I Outdoor Track and Field ChampionshipsEugene, Oregon3rd800 m1:45.31