Teenage distance sensation Mercy Chepng’eno believes she is on the right path to following in the footsteps of her role model, world 3,000m steeplechase champion Faith Cherotich, as she looks to establish herself
The Form Three student says her long-term ambition is to emulate Cherotich’s rise on the global stage while carving out her own identity in elite steeplechase and 1500m races.
“Faith Cherotich is my role model and I would like to run like her,” said Chepng’eno.
Cherotich’s rapid ascent began with bronze at the 2021 World Under-20 Championships in Nairobi, before she struck gold a year later in Cali, Colombia.
She transitioned seamlessly to the senior ranks, winning bronze at the 2023 World Championships in Budapest and the 2024 Paris Olympic Games, before being crowned at the 2025 World Championships in Tokyo.
Inspired by that journey, Chepng’eno has set her sights on the World Under-20 Championships, where she hopes to make her mark.
“My target for this year is the World Under-20 Championships, where I want to conquer the world,” she said.
The 19-year-old is chasing selection in both the 3,000m steeplechase and the 1,500m, and early signs suggest she is on course.
Over the weekend, Chepng’eno delivered an impressive double at the second Athletics Kenya Track and Field Weekend Meeting at Thika Stadium. She won the 3,000m steeplechase in 10:28.9, ahead of Tecla Cheserek (10:34.6) and Winsam Cherono (10:35.5), before returning to dominate the 1,500m in 4:13.8.
“I thank God for helping me win both races,” she said.
Chepng’eno trains at the Les Sap Training Camp under coach Nicholas Kipng’eno Rono, and is now focused on refining her preparation ahead of the global junior event in Eugene.
“When I return to training, I want to improve on key areas with my coach,” she said, adding that she is targeting sub-10 minutes in the steeplechase.
Coach Rono said the Thika performances reflected strong groundwork laid during the holiday training period.
“We trained well over the holidays and came to Thika to assess where we are and what to improve before the Under-20 championships,” he said.
by TEDDY MULEI
