World 1,500m and mile record holder Faith Kipyegon will face newly crowned world 10,000m record holder Beatrice Chebet in the 5,000m finals at the Olympic trials at Nyayo Stadium on Friday. The highly anticipated race promises to be a fierce battle between the two champions, each eager to assert dominance in the middle-distance event.
Kipyegon and Chebet lead a stellar lineup that includes women’s 10km record holder Agnes Ngetich, Valencia Half Marathon champion Margaret Chelimo, and African Games champion Caroline Nyaga.
The last encounter between Kipyegon and Chebet was at the 2023 Budapest World Championships, where Kipyegon clocked 14:53.88 to win the race, becoming the first woman ever to complete a 1,500m-5,000m double at the global event. Chebet finished third with a time of 14:54.33, claiming bronze behind Sifan Hassan.
Kipyegon, who will be opening her track season at the 9:00am event, anticipates a tough race but is confident in her ability to reign supreme. “Kenya Olympic trials are never easy, and to be honest, there will be a bit of tension, but we are going to run our race and do our best tomorrow. May the best athlete win. I hope to be in the team in Paris,” asserts Kipyegon.
The double Olympic champion has not raced since the Prefontaine Classic last September, where she claimed the 1,500m Diamond Trophy, capping off a stellar season. She set new world records in the 1,500m, 5,000m, and the mile last year before her double triumph in the two longer distances at the 2023 World Championships. She had announced a light muscle injury but is now fully recovered. “I am okay now. My injury has healed, and I have been able to prepare well for these trials. I thank God for that,” Kipyegon stated.
Kipyegon remains undecided on whether to compete in both the 1,500m and 5,000m events at the Olympics. “For now, I cannot tell, but maybe after tomorrow’s race, I will know,” she said.
All eyes will also be on Chebet, who became the first woman to race the 10,000m under 29 minutes with her world record of 28:54.14 when she booked her spot at the Kenyan Olympic Trials held at the Prefontaine Classic in Eugene on May 25.
As these two titans of middle-distance running prepare to clash, spectators can expect an electrifying race that will highlight the immense talent and competitive spirit of Kenya’s top athletes.
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