Beatrice Chebet, a double Olympic champion, is preparing for a significant evolution in her running career, as she sets her sights on transitioning to marathon racing. At 24 years old, the Kenyan athlete has already established herself as a dominant force in track and short-distance road races, and she is now ready to take on the 42-kilometer challenge.
Her decision to move into marathons follows an extraordinary 2024 season, where she shattered records and claimed numerous accolades. Among her achievements, she broke the 5-kilometer road race record in Barcelona, clocking an astonishing 13 minutes and 54 seconds. This historic performance made her the first woman to run the distance in under 14 minutes, improving her previous record by 19 seconds, which she had set a year earlier on the same course.
Chebet’s 2024 season also included double Olympic gold in the 5,000m and 10,000m events at the Paris Games, a world record in the 10,000m set in Eugene, and her second Diamond League title in the 5,000m. She also showcased her versatility by dominating cross-country racing with a win in Elgoibar. These accomplishments have solidified her status as one of the greatest long-distance runners of her generation.
Inspired by Ruth Chepngetich’s groundbreaking marathon performance, where the latter set a new record of 2:09:35, Chebet has expressed her ambition to push the boundaries even further. She envisions a future where women’s marathon times drop to unprecedented levels, possibly as low as 2:06. Chebet sees her transition to marathon racing as a natural progression in her career, given her long-distance prowess and relentless drive to excel.
Her coach and husband, Peter Bii, shares this vision, emphasizing her exceptional potential on the road. He highlights her strengths on straight, less technical courses, where her efficiency and speed are most pronounced. According to Bii, her record-breaking performance in Barcelona is a testament to her ability to thrive in road racing. Despite limited preparation time, she delivered an extraordinary result, demonstrating her adaptability and resilience.
Chebet’s transition to marathon racing is poised to redefine women’s distance running. Her record-breaking mentality and commitment to excellence make her a strong contender to set new benchmarks in the sport. While she continues to excel on the track, her focus on road racing marks the beginning of an exciting new chapter in her career.
Fans and experts alike eagerly anticipate Chebet’s marathon debut, confident that her talent and determination will lead to groundbreaking performances. With her sights set on lowering existing records and her relentless pursuit of greatness, Chebet is set to inspire a new era in long-distance running, pushing the limits of human performance to new heights.
