Chebet now eyes World 10,000m title

World Cross Country champion Emily Chebet celebrates on the podium of the senior women race of World Cross Country Championships in Bydgoszcz on March 24, 2013. Chebet and Matthew Kisorio headline Kenya’s team for the 2014 Chiba Ekiden International Relay Race due in November 24 in Japan.

After recapturing her World Cross Country title she last won in 2010, Kenya’s Emily Chebet has now set her sights on compatriot Vivian Cheruiyot’s World 10,000m title.

“I think I should say I have closed the cross country chapter in style and it’s now time to look ahead,” said the 27-year-old athlete from Bomet.

“I want to try my luck on the track and battle it out for positions in the 10,000m race before moving to the marathon later.”

Chebet herself – who is married to 2008 Kenyan 10,000m champion Edward Muge - was pleasantly surprised by the outcome on a snowy course in sub-zero temperatures.

High chances

Chebet said she has high chances of making the team, especially after recapturing the title she won in 2010 at the same course in Bydgoszcz, Poland.

The Police officer, who is based at Chebirbelek Training Camp in Kericho under trainer Zane Branson, said she will fine-tune her form in selected road races over 5km and 10km as she hopes to gain the right shape ahead of the Kenyan trials before the World Championships in Athletics due August in Moscow, Russia.

“I want to train hard and try my luck in the 10,000m race. I’m going to make sure I get the opportunity to run for my country by working hard and staying in shape for the trials,” said Chebet at a press conference after her victory.

Chebet made her World Cross debut in 2003 when she finished fifth before winning bronze in 10,000m at the 2006 Africa Senior Athletics Championships. The bronze winner at the Africa Cross last year has a personal best of 31:31.39 in 10,000m.

Korir’s plans

Japhet Korir, winner of the senior men’s 12km race and junior men’s 8km race, have also expressed their interests to make the 5,000m Kenyan team for the World Championships. After finishing fifth in junior men’s race, World Junior 3,000m steeplechase champion Conseslus Kipruto plans to take his stab at the World Championships title.

“This is just the start and the best is yet to come from me,” said Barsoton, who had not represented Kenya at any level.

A fired-up Korir said: “I know it’s long since Kenya celebrated the 5,000m World or Olympic victory. I believe the current champion Mo Farah is beatable. He should be ready for the big fall.”