Mercy Cherono 'not bothered' by rivals form

Mercy Cherono celebrates after winning the final of the women's 5000m athletics event at Hampden Park during the 2014 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, Scotland on August 2, 2014. PHOTO | ANDREJ ISAKOVIC |

What you need to know:

  • Cherono is targeting to go a step high after winning silver at the 2013 World Championships in Moscow

World 5,000m silver medallist Mercy Cherono is not bothered by the exploits of Ethiopians Almaz Ayana and Genzebe Dibaba’s in the Diamond League series ahead of the World Championships due August in Beijing, China.

Cherono, who is targeting to go a step high after winning silver at the 2013 World Championships in Moscow, said championship races are different from events where pacesetters are allowed to participate.

The 2008 and 2010 World Junior 3,000m champion was speaking upon winning Kenya Police Service Championships 5,000m race last weekend in Kasarani.

Ayana won the 5,000m race in Shanghai on May 16 after clocking 14:14.32, which was the third fastest time ever. Kenya’s Viola Kibiwott finished second in 14:40.32.

Dibaba, the world indoor 3,000m champion, would then tear the rich 5,000m field apart at the Prefontaine Classic, Eugene, USA on May 30, winning in an impressive time of 14:19.76, beating Commonwealth 1,500m champion Faith Chepng’etich (14:31.95) and former World 5,000m and 10,000m champion Vivian Cheruiyot (14:46.69) all from Kenya.

WORK ON SPEED

It’s at the Prefontaine Classic where Cherono finished second but with a personal best 4:01.26 in the 1,500m race won by the 2011 World champion Jenny Simpson (USA) in 4:00.98.

“I was using the 1,500m to work on my speed and hopefully I will be back in better shape than I was during the World Championships in Moscow,” said Cherono

“It’s my dream to claim the top podium spot which will be a good warm up ahead of the 2016 Rio Olympics.”

Cherono, who turned 24 on Monday, clocked 14:51.22 to settle for silver at the 2013 Worlds, losing the battle to Ethiopia’s two-time world champion Meseret Defar in 14:50.19. Ayana won bronze in 14:51.33.

She said she is looking forward to the 5,000m race in Paris Diamond League on July 4 before returning to the country for World Championships trials on July 15 to 26 at the Nyayo National Stadium.