Beatrice Chebet at the World Cross Country Championships in Bathurst
Kenya’s Beatrice Chebet won the world cross country title last year in Bathurst and she intends to put up a fierce defence of that crown at the World Athletics Cross Country Championships Belgrade 24 on 30 March.
That world cross country victory in Australia was one of the many wins that Chebet has achieved so far in her career.
The now 23-year-old took her first world championship title at the age of 18 when she won world U20 5000m gold in Tampere. This was followed by U20 gold at the 2019 World Cross Country Championships, 5000m silver at the 2022 World Championships and titles at the Commonwealth Games, African Championships and Diamond League final.
In 2023, after winning her world cross country title in Bathurst, Chebet added another medal to her CV with world 5000m bronze in Budapest.
She won the 5km title at the inaugural World Athletics Road Running Championships in Riga and followed that with a world record, clocking 14:13 to improve the women’s world 5km record in Barcelona on the last day of the year.
After a brilliant 2023, what are your plans and expectations for 2024?
"I thank God for my achievements so far. For 2024, my goal is to defend my world title, make the Kenyan Olympic team and hopefully get a medal in Paris. For the future, it would be great to progress in the long run and see what I can do.”
Where do you most like to train and what is an average day like in the life of a top athlete?
"I train mainly in Kericho. My daily life revolves around training; waking up at 5:30am for a morning run, then gym/exercises later and running in the evening. For this season, the goal is the World Cross trophy, the Diamond League meetings and the Olympic Games.”
What are your expectations for Belgrade? Are you looking forward to coming to this part of Europe and the world?
"My goal is to defend the title of world cross country champion."
How demanding is your discipline and how much daily work and dedication does it require?
"It is very demanding. Being a top athlete requires a lot of sacrifices, from watching what you eat, sleeping early and taking your recovery time seriously."
If you were to start over again, would you choose the same sports route?
"Yes, I always wanted to be an athlete."
Which event remains your best memory?
"The World Cross Country Championships in 2019 in Aarhus, Denmark.”
