•Kenya's dominance over the distance was set in motion when Milcah Chemos stormed the winner's podium at the 2013 World Athletics Championships in Moscow, Russia.
•Hyvin Kiyeng then kept the fire burning after blazing to another gold during the 2015 World Championships in Beijing, China.
Image: FILE
Kenyan women have won three 3,000m steeplechase gold medals in the past seven global championships since the event was introduced in 2005 at the World Championships in Helsinki.
Kenya's dominance over the distance was set in motion when Milcah Chemos stormed the winner's podium at the 2013 World Athletics Championships in Moscow, Russia.
Hyvin Kiyeng then kept the fire burning after blazing another gold during the 2015 World Championships in Beijing, China.
But the country's momentous day came in 2018 when Beatrice Chepkoech smashed the world record. The Kenyan steeplechase sensation set the world record for the 3000m steeplechase with a time of 8:44.32 in 2018 in Monaco.
She subsequently, she became the first woman to break the 8:50 and 8:45 barriers. The feat launched her career on a sparkling course and catapulted her to instant global acclaim.
Since then, Chepkoech has not looked back. "I have bagged two Kenyan national championships and two Diamond League championships in the 3000m steeplechase thus far," she revealed.
"I also won gold medals at the 2019 World Championships and the 2018 African Championships," she proudly remarked.
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Chepkoech, who stands 1.7 m tall and weighs 54kg, has promised to continue thrilling the world of athletics with further exploits in the captivating game of hurdles and water troughs.
Born on July 6, 1991 in Kimulot, Bomet County, Chepkoech's amazing journey in athletics took off during her formative years at Besiobei Primary School, where she sat for her Kenya Certificate of Primary Education (KCSE) in 2005.
Chepkoech proceeded to Kamung'ei and completed her studies in 2009. She began testing her mettle in road running during her years in primary and secondary school.
"I embarked on my road running career In 2014, placing in the top three at several races in Germany and the Netherlands," Chepkoech said.
She later shifted her focus to the track, where she established dominance in the 1500m, winning bronze at the 2015 African Games and silver at the 2018 Commonwealth Games.
"After transitioning to the track in 2015, I also bagged the 1,500m race at the KBC Night of Athletics with a personal best time of 4:03.28."
Chepkoech made a successful transition to 3,000m steeplechase and on the 2016 IAAF Diamond League circuit, she clocked 9:17.41 minutes at the Prefontaine Classic before coming second at the Stockholm Diamond League. "I was ranked fifth in the world upon entry to the 2016 Rio Olympics. "
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She finished 2nd in the 1500m in the 2018 Commonwealth Games.
In 2019, she also tried her luck in cross country when she competed at the senior women's IAAF World Cross Country Championships held in Aarhus, Denmark. She was placed seventh.
The women's 3,000m steeplechase world record holder expressed glee after propelling Faith Kipyegon to a masterclass act at the Paris Diamond League on Friday.
Chepkoech said she was proud to have played a pertinent role in two successive records over the distance, having also contributed to Ethiopian Letesenbet Gidey's victory in Valencia three years ago.
Kipyegon smashed the 5,000m world record at the Paris Diamond League with a time of 14:05.20, slicing a full second and a half off the previous 14:06.62 set by Gidey in 2020.
Among the three pacesetters aiding the field in Paris was Chepkoech who kept her nerve over the distance. "It feels good to be part of the race and ensure all was well as I paced as per time," Chepkoech said in an exclusive interview on Wednesday.
Chepkoech's great pacesetting skills came to the fore again in Valencia on October 7, 2020, where she cranked out a relentless tempo and fired Gidey to the 5000m record.
The Ethiopian track sensation smashed the world 5000m record of 14:11.15 previously held by compatriot Tirunesh Dibaba for 12 years.
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With a lead of more than two seconds over the world record pace, Chepkoech completed the 3000 meters in 8:31.85 assisting Gidey to break the tape in 14:06.62, about five seconds faster than the previous record.
Chepkoech said she now has her sights firmly trained on a successful title defence in Budapest, Hungary this August. "I am taking everything as a stepping stone for the next race. Participating in the World Championships is everyone's goal and that's also my objective."
She said the cash prize President William Ruto announced for world breakers on Thursday will act as a big incentive. The president offered a cash reward of Sh5 million for every single record broken going forward with Kipyegon being the first beneficiary of the pilot project.
"This is a good motivation to all athletes to be hungrier for more," Chepkoech remarked. After a prolonged layoff occasioned by injury, Chepkoech believes she has found her footing on the track again. She made a return in style with a sublime performance at the Kip Keino Classic in Nairobi on May 13, where she torched the Moi Stadium, Kasarani track to run away with the 3000m steeplechase title.
"Being an athlete is a career.There are a lot of ups and downs but one must hold on to meet the goals set."While preparing for the arduous task ahead, Chepkoech said she is not so much concerned about lowering her time.
"For now, am not placing time in my mind for I don't want to be under so much pressure against time. I aim to improve in every race that I race."
Chepkoech has vowed to reclaim her throne in the women's 3000m steeplechase after fighting off a bothersome injury that spanned two seasons.
She said she will be training her eyes on more vintage performances this year. Chepkoech returned from a hamstring injury and a stress fracture around her left ankle to romp to victory at the Kip Keino Classic on May 13.
She clocked 9:15.08 to beat world under-20 champion Faith Cherotich and Commonwealth Games winner Jackline Chepkoech to second and third places respectively.
"Competing and completing the event was something nice for me because I have been out of competition due to the ailments I picked up last year. I was in such good spirits and I'm happy to be returning gradually as the season progresses," said Chepkoech.
“It was a tough race because I was running with some good upcoming athletes and I had to run from the front,” she said.
The victory, according to Chepkoech, is a step in the right direction in readiness for the Budapest World Championships in August.
"This is my second race, and it's a solid preparation for the World Championships," she remarked. Her victory came hot on the heels of a fourth-place finish at the Doha Diamond League a week earlier.
"The season is still early, and you all know it has been difficult for me having been out for the last one and a half years. I am trying to come back," Chepkoech said.
"I was in good shape last year. My target was to retain the 2019 title, but I was forced to drop out at the last minute due to injury," she said.
Chepkoech will be relying on her vast wealth of experience to catapult herself back into global acclamation. She has been honing her skills in the lush landscape of Kericho county under veteran athletics tactician Gabriel Kiptonui.
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"Unlike some of the other athletes I have coached, Chepkoech has demonstrated total commitment," Kiptonui said.
Her most memorable day was on July 29, 2018, when she returned home to a heroic welcome after breaking the 3,000m steeplechase world record at the IAAF Diamond League meeting in Monaco, France.
Among those who lined up to receive her were the then Energy Cabinet Secretary Charles Keter and Bomet Deputy Governor Hillary Barchok.
Fifteen vehicles, blaring sirens, snaked their way through Bomet before cruising to Besiobei Village in Kanoin sub-county, where she resides.
But she quickly admits her path has not been all plain-sailing and she had to contend with a myriad ups and downs along the way. "My worst moment was when I was forced to withdraw from the 2022 World Championship held in Eugene, Oregon in July due to an injury.
"Married to Peter Mwai Ndichu, the reigning world champion says she always sets quality time aside for her adoring family when she is not pounding her feet hard on the track.
"I am married thus I spend time with my husband and my family members," she said. Chepkoech has these words of wisdom for the budding athletes who are striving to attain success on the global front. "Patience is the key and this entails discipline and determination."