Beatrice Chebet ©AFP
Beatrice Chebet ©AFP

Why Beatrice Chebet has pulled out of weekend's national cross country championships

Reading Time: 2min | Wed. 22.10.25. | 16:47

Her head coach however believes she will gain a wildcard spot for next year's championships

Double Olympic gold medalist Beatrice Chebet, will not take part in the upcoming Athletics Kenya National Cross Country Championships scheduled for Saturday, 25 October at the Eldoret Sports Club.

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Speaking to Nation Sport on Monday, Kenya Police Service head coach Isaac Kirwa confirmed that the 25-year-old had pulled out of the championships, as she was not yet ready to compete.

Saturday’s event, which will attract a huge field of elite distance runners, serves as the selection trials for Team Kenya ahead of next year’s World Cross Country Championships set for 10 January in Tallahassee, Florida, USA.

Events Kenya is looking to select its competitors include: men’s and women’s senior 10km, U20 men’s 8km, U20 women’s 6km, and the men’s and women’s 2km loop.

Every winner from the aforementioned events will secure automatic spots to the United States, with the next two finishers being subjected to the Athletics Kenya Panel.

Chebet, however, stands a chance of being in the team without competing, as per Kirwa.

The coach is quoted to be optimistic that Chebet will earn a wildcard spot to the championships, owing to her two consecutive World Cross Country victories in Belgrade (2023) and Bathurst (2024) respectively.

After reeling in Ethiopia’s Letesenbet Gidey in Serbia, Chebet, who recently claimed two world championships gold medals in the 5,000 and 10,000m races in Tokyo, led Lilian Kasait, Margaret Chelimo and Agnes Ngetich in a dominant 1-4 sweep for Kenya in Australia.

Nineteen regions from all over the country are set to field teams on Saturday, led by South Rift, who are expected to send 36 athletes to Eldoret.

Top athletes mentioned to take part include: Miriam Chebet, Mercy Cherono, Nelly Cheptoo, Cynthia Chepkirui, and Maureen Chebor.


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Beatrice ChebetWorld Cross Country ChampionshipsWorld Athletics Cross Country ChampionshipsNational Cross Country Championship

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