The time is now! Chepkoech psyched up for Monaco
Beatrice Chepkoech checks her watch after crossing the finishing line to win the 3000m steeplechase race during the African Games trials on June 22, 2019 at Moi International Sports Centre, Kasarani. PHOTO | CHRIS OMOLLO |
What you need to know:
- The world record holder over the distance, who has been training in Kericho, will compete in the 5,000m race which she will use to improve her endurance and speed
- The athlete told Nation Sport that she is looking forward to a good performance even though she has not trained as well as she had wanted to
World 3,000 metres steeplechase champion Beatrice Chepkoech is the latest entrant in the Wanda Diamond League in Monaco on August 14.
The world record holder over the distance, who has been training in Kericho, will compete in the 5,000m race which she will use to improve her endurance and speed.
The last race she participated in before sports activities were suspended owing to Covid-19 pandemic was the World Athletics Indoor Tour meeting in Dusseldorf, Germany in February. She set a national indoor record after clocking 4 minutes 03.09 seconds in 1,500m.
The athlete told Nation Sport that she is looking forward to a good performance even though she has not trained as well as she had wanted to.
BROKE RECORD
Chepkoech has fond memories of Monaco because it is the venue where she broke the 3,000m steeplechase record two years ago after clocking 8:44.32.
"I'm delighted that I will be racing once again after a long break due to the virus which has disrupted the sporting world. I'm looking forward to running well since we are starting another season,” she said.
"I will be competing in the 5,000m race because I want to improve my speed and enhance endurance. Competition is changing and we need to change with the times,” she added.
Chepkoech said training has been good despite being alone because of the guidelines set by the Ministry of Health on social distancing to help prevent the spread of the virus.
"When you train as a group other athletes push you to a certain limits and that sharpens your skills. Training alone has been good but I can't say that I'm in perfect shape," she said.
TRAINED ALONE
The Monaco race will kick start a series of events across the world.
"The whole season went by without competition. Most athletes stayed at home and trained alone while some did farming. For my part, I have been helping my parents with picking tea on the farm and at the same time training to stay fit. I'm happy we are now slowly going back to competitions,” she said.
Chepkoech will be joining other Kenyans who have been enlisted for the Monaco meet include 1,500m Olympic champion Faith Chepn’getich and Olympic 3,000m steeplechase champion Conseslus Kipruto.
