Chepng’etich primed for Eugene Diamond League meet
Faith Chepng'etich of South Rift celebrates after crossing the finishing line to win the 8km senior women's race during National Cross Country trials on February 14, 2015 at Uhuru Gardens. Chepng’etich stormed to an African record in One Mile race on September 11, 2015 in Diamond League in Brussels. PHOTO | CHRIS OMOLLO |
What you need to know:
- Cheng’etich failed to make the national team for the World Cross Country Championships in March after she sustained metatarsal injury.
- Chepng’etich is currently training in Keringet
Commonwealth Games 1,500m champion Faith Chepng’etich is set to a make a comeback on the international scene in Eugene, the third event of the Diamond League on May 30 in the USA.
It will be the third time Chepng’etich, who is the reigning Africa and Kenya cross country champion, is making an appearance in the 1500m in Eugene event that is also known as the Prefontaine Classic.
The 21-year-old Cheng’etich failed to make the national team for the World Cross Country Championships in March after she sustained metatarsal injury. Chepng’ etich, who also missed the just concluded World Relays in the Bahamas, had to seek treatment in The Netherlands.
“The injury I sustained has healed and I have gradually resumed training. My body is responding very well,” said Cheng’etich, the 2011 and 2013 World Cross Country junior champion.
“No one feels well missing such big races especially at my tender age but you can’t avoid some situations.”
Chepng’etich, the 2011 World Youth and 2012 World Junior champion, said she would weigh her performance in Eugene before knowing which race she will compete in next ahead of the World Championships trials.
Cheng’etich finished third in 3:58.01 in Eugene last year behind winner Hellen Obiri in a World lead and Meet Record time of 3:57.05. Swede Abeba Aregawi was second in 3:57.57.
“It’s my hope that I make it to the Worlds in 1500m,” said Chepng’etich, who was in the team that won 4x1500m title at the World Relays last year. She teamed up with Mercy Cherono, Irene Jelagat and Hellen Obiri to set a new World Record time to 16:33.58.
It’s at the 2013 Doha Diamond League’s event where Chepng’etich not only set her personal best but also a National record time, clocking 3:56.98 to finish second after pushing Aregawi to victory in 3:56.60.
POOR OUTING
Chepng’etich competed at the 2013 World Championships in Moscow, where she finished fifth in the final in a time of 4:05.08. “I am targeting the medal bracket,” said Chepng’etich, who failed to reach the final of the 1500m at the 2012 London Olympics on her first appearance at a major event.
Chepng’etich is currently training in Keringet alongside international athletes Joyline Jerotich (1500m), Beatrice Mutai (5000m), Victor Kosgei (5000m) and Jackline Chemweno (5000m).
