Janet Chepng’etich, the 26-year-old African Games 10,000m champion, has shifted her focus from track events to mountain running, a sport she now passionately pursues. After a remarkable victory at the Tinderet Barng’etuny Mountain Running Championship, Chepng’etich has set her sights on the World Mountain and Trail Running Championships scheduled for September in Canfranc-Pirineos, Spain.
The win in Tinderet marked Chepng’etich’s debut in mountain running, a challenging discipline that pushed her limits. Despite the difficulty, she expressed her excitement about the experience. “It was tough, because this is my first-ever mountain run. However, I enjoyed it and I am so excited to have won it,” she said. This success has only fueled her desire to continue in the sport, and she is committed to training for the World Championships. “My desire is to represent the country at the World Mountain Running Championships and I will train towards it. I think it is an interesting side of athletics that could be of benefit to me,” Chepng’etich remarked.
In 2024, Chepng’etich had a standout season in track events, winning her first-ever major title for Kenya at the African Games in Accra, where she clocked 33:37.00 to take the 10,000m gold. She also achieved podium finishes at various events, including second place in the women’s 3000m at the Lausanne Diamond League and strong performances at the Transylvania 10km and the Standard Chartered Hong Kong Marathon.
Her foray into mountain running is seen as a natural extension of her athletic versatility. Mountain running, which combines endurance, strength, and tactical skill, presents a fresh challenge for Chepng’etich, who has already proven her ability on the track. The switch to mountain running comes at a time when Athletics Kenya is increasingly recognizing the importance of this discipline, with events like the Barng’etuny Mountain Run gaining prominence in the selection process for international competitions.
Chepng’etich’s success in the mountain run has caught the attention of both local and international athletics communities. Athletics Kenya has been keen to support the development of mountain and trail running in Kenya, and her victory at Tinderet is seen as a positive step toward the country’s growing involvement in the sport. The Kenya Tourism Board’s recent partnership with Athletics Kenya to unveil the Mountain and Trail Series is expected to further boost the popularity of mountain running, providing more opportunities for athletes like Chepng’etich to shine.
Looking ahead to the World Mountain and Trail Running Championships, Chepng’etich remains determined and focused. Her goal is to continue honing her skills and to represent Kenya at the global level in this exciting and challenging new discipline. Her shift to mountain running marks an exciting new chapter in her career, one that could see her making a significant impact in yet another area of athletics.
