Africa-Press – Kenya. Nine years after Caren Chebet announced herself on the global stage with a world title for Kenya, the steeplechase ace will be hoping lightning strikes again when she lines up for the World Cross Country Championships in Tallahassee, Florida, on Saturday.
Back in 2017, Chebet etched her name into the record books after storming to the World Under-18 2,000m steeplechase crown at the championships held in Nairobi, clocking 6:24.80.
She led a Kenyan one-two on the day, with compatriot Mercy Chepkurui settling for silver in 6:26.10, while Ethiopia’s Ethlemahu Sintayehu completed the podium in 6:35.79.
Fast forward to Saturday, and Chebet will once again don Kenyan colours as part of a formidable six-woman squad that also includes World 10km record holder Agnes Ng’etich, national 5,000m champion Rebecca Mwangi, reigning national cross country champion Maurine Chebor, Joyline Jepkemoi and Brenda Kenei.
Making only her second appearance at a global championship, the 25-year-old says her sights are firmly fixed on the podium in Florida. “I am going to fight to ensure I make the podium.
That is my biggest target as I head to Florida. I hope everything goes according to plan,” Chebet told the Star. Chebet believes the team has left nothing to chance in their build-up to the global showpiece, describing preparations as thorough and well-executed.
“We have prepared very well. The training has been good, and we expect nothing but good results,” she added.
“The mood in camp has been lively while training as a team. We are also appreciative of our coaches, who did a good job.
”Beyond individual glory, Chebet will also be hoping to play a pivotal role as Kenya bids to defend its women’s overall title.
At the last edition of the World Cross Country Championships in Belgrade, Serbia, Kenya powered to the women’s team title with a low score of 10 points, finishing well clear of Ethiopia (41 points) and Uganda (44 points).
“We are going to fight to do our best to bring back our title,” she said.
“The coaches have done their part, and now it’s up to us to do our best and make them and the country proud.
”Chebet’s trophy cabinet already boasts her 2017 World U-18 gold, alongside a silver medal in the 3,000m steeplechase from the 2019 African U-20 Championships in Abidjan.
In 2022, she added continental bronze after finishing third in the 3,000m steeplechase at the African Championships in Saint Pierre, clocking 9:43.64 behind Ethiopians Werkuha Getachew (9:36.81) and Zerfe Wondmagegn (9:41.37).
However, her 2025 campaign has been a mixed bag of performances. Chebet opened her season with a sixth-place finish at the National Cross Country Championships on February 8, clocking 35:19, before placing fifth at the Sirikwa Classic Cross Country Tour in 34:39.
On April 27, she narrowly missed the podium at the Bengaluru 10K, finishing in 32:19. She then bounced back with a podium finish at the FBK games in Hengelo, where she clocked 9:22.35 in the 3,000m steeplechase.
However, her form dipped at the Paris Diamond League, where she finished 12th in the steeplechase in 9:40.04. Chebet then settled for third place at the Kenyan Championships on June 27, clocking 10:01.64 in the steeplechase.
