WU20: Cherotich, Jeptoo carry Kenya's hopes of defending the women's 5000m title

As Kenya looks to defend the World Under-20 5000m title won by Beatrice Chebet in Tampere, Finland back in 2018, Maureen Cherotich and Zenah Jeptoo carry those hopes in the final set for Sunday 22 August 2021 at 17.10 hrs.

In a show of mettle and excellent front running, Jeptoo led the field of 24 women, all who had hopes of clinching the two tickets available for Team Kenya to the championship during the trials held last month.

It was, however, Cherotich who unleashed her weaponry late in the race for a lethal finishing kick that saw her win the race in 15:44.0 ahead of Jeptoo who came in second in 15:46.20 to clinch the second slot. 

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Southern's Ruth Kanini went in front from the gun and dictated the pace for the first kilometre alongside Rose Wangui before Jeptoo jostled her way to the front. They crossed the 1500m mark at 5:18 minutes after which the field began to split.

By the 2000m mark, with Jeptoo still in the lead, the field was split into half and by the race's half way mark, Jeptoo, Cherotich, Brenda Jepchumba and Jane Ghati had formed a leading pack of four, crossing the 2500m mark in 8:05 and the 3000m mark in 10:55. The other two women could not keep up with Jeptoo who began pulling away and only Cherotich held on to her shoulder. 

It was obvious that they would record some impressive times when they hit the bell at 14:40. With about 300m to go, Cherotich made her move, assuming the lead and holding on for the win. Her time, well within the top 12 in the category globally then.

" I am happy for this win and for qualifying for the championships. Having represented the country before internationally, in 1500m at the Africa Junior Championships held in Ivory Coast in 2018, and managed fourth place to miss a medal, I want to make this chance count and win the title," She said after qualifying for the global showpiece.

She added, "Today's race was good, despite looking easy, I had tough competition from Jeptoo. When I saw her slowing down after leading all through, I took the chance to sprint past her and I think that is what I will be working on as I prepare for the championship, my finishing technique," remarked the Keringet-based 17 year old Cherotich.

Jeptoo, who was in action on Thursday, 1 July in the 3000m semi final where she booked a place in Saturday's, 3 July final, after finishing second says a slight injury slowed her down in the 5000m.  

"The race was good. I managed to control the pace and that worked for my race plan I slowed down in the last lap as I had sustained a scratch from a competitor's spike earlier on in the race and it felt uncomfortable. All the same I have the ticket and with the competition expected at the championship, I will be training hard for a medal," said the Ruruta High graduate adding that she was yet to decide on whether she will be doubling at the global event. 

The duo face stiff competition from Ethiopians in the final. Ethiopia has traditionally had a strong hold in this event but they surrendered a winning streak at the last edition in 2018 as Chebet took gold.

Mizan Alem and Medina Eisa look to be the class of the field. Alem clocked a world U-20 lead of 14:46.20 to finish eighth at the Ethiopian Olympic Trials in Hengelo in June, while Eisa wasn’t far behind that day, finishing 10th in 14:59.53.

Also on the field and expected to offer the challenge is Ugandan Olympian Prisca Chesang, who has run 15:05.39 this year.