Double world and Olympic champion over 5,000m and 10,000m, Beatrice Chebet has tipped teenage sensation Cynthia Chepkirui as the country’s next big star in the distance races.
Chepkirui, 17, has been carving out her name as one of the nation’s most promising youngsters in distance running.
The teenager is an athlete at the Lemotit Training Camp, a place Chebet is all too familiar with, having risen to stardom there before switching to training under coach Peter Bii.
Chebet says she has keenly been studying Chepkirui’s progress and believes she is destined for greatness. "I have been watching Cynthia for some time now. She has a very bright future," Chebet said.
"I am sure if she continues with that good form, she will be a world-beater, and she will do wonders," she added.
Chepkirui has had a strong 2025 campaign. She kicked off the year with a third-place finish at February’s Sirikwa Classic Cross Country, claiming the U-20 6km title in 20:37.
Joyline Chepkemoi (20:40) and Diana Chepkemoi (20:50) finished second and third place, respectively.
She then followed it up with a bronze medal finish at the National Cross Country Championships, clocking 21:21 behind Lorna Cherono (21:11) and Chepkemoi (21:15).
Chepkirui then switched to dominance on the track, claiming the 1,500m at the 3rd AK Weekend Meeting, clocking 4:19.6 and finishing second over 5,000m in 15:47.6.
At the sixth AK Weekend Meet, she was triumphant over the 5,000m in 15:44.81 before finishing fourth over the same distance (15:24.30) at the Kip Keino Classic.
At the National Championships, Chepkirui clocked 15:40.83 to place second behind Rebecca Mwangi (15:39.78).
She then claimed her maiden continental title at the African U18/U20 Championships in Abeokuta, Nigeria, winning the 3,000m in 9:26.35.
Her most recent outing was at October’s National Cross Country Championships, where she punched her ticket to next year's World Championships in Tallahassee, Florida, in the U-20 race.
Chepkirui clocked 20:38 to outkick Mirriam Kibet (20:49) and Lorna Cherono (21:00).
Chebet revealed that Chepkirui’s running style, especially in cross country, is identical to her own ferocious attack on the turf.
"I watched her race at the Eldoret Sports Club during the nationals, and the way she ran is the way I ran at the 2019 World Cross Country in Denmark," she said.
At the 2019 World Cross Country Championships in Aarhus, Denmark, Chebet claimed the U-20 title, cutting the tape in 20:50.
Chebet says she will be keeping tabs on the teenager, hoping her talent will soon explode to the global stage. "I normally talk with her and encourage her that I was just like her a few years back."
"I believe in her, and I will be watching and following her. I hope she progresses in a good way."
Apart from motivating Chepkirui, Chebet is also mentoring other young, upcoming female talents. "Generally, I support young kids, and I have some young girls like Fancy Chepkorir," she said.
Chepkorir finished third in the U-20 race at the Great Chepsaita Cross Country last weekend, clocking 22:07.
"I am proud of them, and as a senior athlete, I want to see them grow like me and the likes of other top athletes like Faith (Kipyegon)."
