Forge Harrison

Published by SPIKES on March 8, 2016

In her first season as a professional, Kendra 'Keni' Harrison has enjoyed an unbeaten start to 2016 and is ranked fastest in the world in the 60m hurdles. We chart the rise of the latest woman to roll of America's sprint hurdles production line.

Elevenses

Adopted by military parents into a family of 11 children (many of whom were also adopted), Keni Harrison spent a year or so of her early childhood in Bolivia before the family settled in Clayton, North Carolina. As you can probably imagine, life was never quiet at home.

“Growing up there was lots of kids to play with and talk to,” recalls Harrison. “Many of my siblings were arty and others were academic, but sport was the one way I could stand out in the family. Whichever sport I chose to do, I would excel.”