Ng’etich targets medal in her audacious distance double in Japan next month

‎World 10km record holder Agnes Ng’etich has thrown down the gauntlet, declaring her intent to secure a podium finish in at least one of her ambitious distance double assignments (5,000m and 10,000m) at the Tokyo World Championships.

‎The 24-year-old distance ace recently competed at the Brussels Diamond League in a bid to sharpen her form ahead of a historic distance double in Tokyo over 5,000m and 10,000m.‎

‎In the 5,000m event in Tokyo, she will be in the company of defending World Champion Faith Kipyegon, World record holder Beatrice Chebet and Margaret Akidor. ‎In the 25-lap race, Ngetich will join forces with Chebet once again and Janeth Chepngetich.

‎‎In Brussels, Ng'etich clocked a commanding 14:24.99 to claim victory over the 5,000m event. ‎She outclassed Ethiopia’s Likina Amebaw (14:31.51) and Aleshign Baweke (14:31.88). ‎Ng'etich highlighted her resolve to secure a podium finish in at least one of the two distance races in Tokyo. ‎"I am doubling the 5000m and 10 000m, and I am really ambitious."

‎‎"I want to make at least one podium; that is the most important thing. To get a medal at the highest stage in the world is really important," she said. ‎Ng’etich’s World Championships return comes two years after her 10,000m appearance in Budapest, where she placed sixth in 31:34.83.

‎‎Ethiopians led by Gudaf Tsegay (31:27.18) swept the podium in the race with Letesenbet Gidey (31:28.16) and Ejgayehu Taye (31:28.31) in second and third place, respectively. Despite her Brussels triumph, Ng’etich admitted she fell short of her time goals. 

‎"The race was not bad. I am happy with the win, but I wanted to run faster," Ng'etich said. She further lamented the solo effort she had to carry for much of the race. ‎"I really wanted to improve my ‎PB, but today I had to push alone, and it was hard."

‎‎Her personal best over 5,000m currently stands at 14:01.29, set during the Prefontaine Classic on July 5, where she placed second.

 ‎That time at the Pre Classic ranks Ng'etich third in the women's all-time list. ‎Only world record holder Beatrice Chebet (13:58.06) and Tsegay (14:00.21) have gone faster. Ng'etch hopes to continue sharpening her form before the global extravaganza. ‎"The next thing now is to focus on the World Championships," she noted.

As Tokyo looms, Ng'etich will be buoyed by her imperious form on both track and road throughout the 2025 season. ‎‎She kicked off her 2025 season with a dominant cross-country victory at the Sirikwa Classic, clocking 32:42 to lead Chepng'etich (33:52) and Miriam Chebet (34:09).

‎Ng'etich opened her track campaign at the Kingston Grand Slam, clocking 14:59.80 for second place in the 5,000m before grabbing another runner-up finish in the 3,000m with 8:28.75. ‎She returned to the roads, at the Adidas Adizero Road to records, obliterating the women -only 10K record after clocking 29:27.

‎She later turned heads at the Miami Slam, dominating the 5,000m in 14:25.80 and placing third in the 3,000m in 8:23.14. ‎Ng'etich dazzled in Philadelphia with a commanding 8:43.61 victory over 3,000m.