Nancy Cherop and Diana Chepkemei believe tough training at Ngong’ will help them deliver medals during Saturday’s World Cross Country Championships in Belgrade, Serbia.
The two are part of the six-strong women’s Under 20 team, alongside Deborah Chemutai, Mercy Chepkemoi, Diana Cherotich and Sheila Chebet.
Cherop, the Youth Commonwealth Games 3,000m and 1,500m champion said: “Our training has been good. We will work as a team in Belgrade.”
She is the Africa Under 20 1,500m and 800m champion and won the 3,000m title at the World Under 20 championships in Cali, Colombia.
“I hope this experience will help me win gold in Belgrade. I missed last year’s World Cross Country in Bathurst, Australia, due to a visa hitch but I pray that God gives me the title after finishing third at the national trials,” she said.
Chepkemei, who trains under Paul Kemei at Lemotit Training Camp in Kericho, is keen on a podium finish.
“I thank God for giving me a second opportunity in Team Kenya,” said Chepkemei. She finished eighth in Barthiust.
“I am going there (Belgrade) to improve my position from Australia with eyes on the gold medal. This is my promise to Kenyans.”
The 17-year-old form two student at Saramek Secondary School won a 2,000m steeplechase bronze medal at last year’s Africa Under 20 championships in Lusaka, Zambia.
“I train alongside great international athletes like Sandrafelis Chebet and Emily Chebet, who assist and guide me a lot. Juggling school and running has been great. I have found a way to balance the two. I wake up at 5 am for classes and at 4 pm, we are given time to train in school,” she said.
She has her schedule figured out with the World Under 20 Championships in Lima, Peru, next on her to-do list.
Chepkemoi’s namesake, Mercy, the East Africa Under 20 1,500m champion will not let her teammates have it easy in Belgrade.
She has rectified mistakes she made when finishing fourth at the national trials.
“We have been training as a team to bring home the title,” said Mercy, who looks up to two-time Olympic champion Faith Kipyegon for inspiration. “I hope to break her titles in the future.”
Chebet is equally motivated as she seeks to prove a point in Europe.
“I won the national title after proper training and preparations. I feel motivated with my second time in Team Kenya,” said Chebet.
Her first outing turned a cropper after failing to compete at the Africa U-18 and U-20 championships in Lusaka, Zambia, due to a hamstring injury.
