Janeth Chepng'etich crowned 10,000m national champion, secures World Athletics spot

Chepng'etich clocked an impressive 30:27.02 to finish ahead of world 5,000m and 10,000m record holder Agnes Ng'etich, who posted 30:27.38, and double Olympic champion Beatrice Chebet, who came in third at 30:27.52.
African Games 10,000m champion Janeth Chepng'etich earned her spot at the 2025 World Athletics Championships after clinching victory in the women's 10,000m during national trials held at the Ulinzi Sports Complex in Nairobi on Tuesday.
Chepng'etich clocked an impressive 30:27.02 to finish ahead of world 5,000m and 10,000m record holder Agnes Ng'etich, who posted 30:27.38, and double Olympic champion Beatrice Chebet, who came in third at 30:27.52.
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The trio will now represent Kenya in the 10,000m race at the global championships scheduled for September 13–21 in Tokyo, Japan.
Their qualification has renewed Kenya's hopes of reclaiming the 10,000m world title, a crown last won by Vivian Cheruiyot a decade ago at the 2015 Beijing World Championships.
Ng'etich, who has returned to form after missing the Paris Olympics through injury, expressed confidence ahead of the championships, which will mark her second appearance in the competitions.
"I'm in good shape this year and if we run as a team, we're going to bring home medals," she said after Tuesday's victory.
Ng'etich and Chebet are also in Kenya's 5,000m lineup for Tokyo, having already earned their spots at the Prefontaine Classic in Oregon. Chepng'etich fell short of selection in that event during the US meet.
Chebet, who will be making her third World Championships appearance, brings a wealth of experience, having won silver in Oregon in 2022 and bronze in Budapest in 2023.
The 5,000m squad also features Margaret Akidor and reigning world champion Faith Kipyegon, who is set to defend her 1,500m crown and is aiming for a record-extending fourth world title over the distance.
"I want to replicate the Paris Olympics performance in Tokyo and make history as the first woman to hold both 10,000m and 5,000m Olympic and world titles as well as world records over the distances," Chebet said after the Tuesday trials.
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