Beatrice Chebet Opens Kenya’s Gates to Paris Olympics on American Soil After Shocking Prefontaine Classic Performance

It had taken 29:01.03 minutes for Letesenbet Gidey to set the world record in the 10000 m running in 2021. Since then, Gidey’s Ethiopian compatriot, Gudaf Tsegay, built up the momentum to decimate the record. On the way, she left her mark last year in the 5000m run by forming the world record.

Ultimately, the 10000 m record has touched the feet of Beatrice Chebet in the ongoing Prefontaine Classic in Eugene. The Kenyan runner has overpowered the existing record by putting her time of 28:54.14 in the place. With that, she has settled the score with Gudaf Tsegay, who has been brewing the track and field for the last several seasons. 

The achievement upped the ante at the quaint Hayward Field today as the Kenyan runner completed the race under the 29:00 barrier for the first time in the world. The entire stadium erupted in joy and gave a standing ovation to her. Meanwhile, runner-up Gudaf Tsegay finished her run in 29:05.92 minutes, seeing herself in the third position on the all-time list.

On the other hand, another Kenyan runner, Kasait Rengeruk, claimed the third rank (29:26.89). Subsequently, the next rank also went to the Kenyan runner, Margaret Chelimo Kipkemboi, who touched the finishing line in 29:27.59 minutes. According to Athletic Kenya’s notice, Beatrice Chebet and Kasait Rengeruk have earned their Paris Olympics qualification from today’s event.  

However, being the ultimate standout, the 24-year-old Kenyan runner hardly cared about the titles after putting her track and field riposte to her opponents. Rather, Beatrice Chebet was photographed later along the fence line, sharing her autographs among the fans. That aura fitted Beatrice as the 10000m event at the Prefontaine Classic 2024 was her first race of its kind in the last four years. But she did not let her nerves affect her performance today. Such an effortless mood remained dominant when she faced the reporters at the post-race conversation.     

After leading the pack on the track, Beatrice Chebet amped up the competition to claim the reins of middle-distance running for the upcoming days. On a further note, she said that she is looking forward to having dual qualifications for the Paris Olympics and those will be at both 5000m and 10000m events.  In the last four years, while Beatrice Chebet had been having a break from the 10000 m running, the 5000m event rode her to fame. 

Last year, Beatrice Chebet cleaned up the 5000m world record on the road. Additionally, she proved her mettle by earning big from the World Athletics Championships, and subsequently, she didn’t bow to anyone except Gudaf Tsegay when it came down to the head-to-head competition. But will such a form help her in the coming days when Kenya has no shortage of high-level middle-distance runners? 

Is the Paris Olympics duel participation ticket possible for Beatrice Chebet? 

In the Kenyan trial for the Paris Olympics, three women could challenge Beatrice Chebet when it came to the 5000 m event. The regular attendees are Faith Kipyegon, Margaret Chelimo Kipkemboi, and Grace Nawowuna. All these three talented runners have kept their mojo in place when it came to countering Beatrice Chebet or the mighty Ethiopians in the 5000m event.

However, the reigning world champion Faith Kipyegon is yet to make the track this season. On the other hand, Grace Nawowuna had to digest a defeat from Beatrice Chebet this season in the 5000m event in the Doha Diamond League. That left Margaret Chelimo Kipkemboi alone in the fold to challenge Beatrice Chebet in claiming the Olympic berth.

After today’s performance, that debate should also stop. Meanwhile, Chebet has received a pleasant note from none other than the world record holder in the 5000m event. After the race in the Prefontaine Classic, Gudaf Tsegay congratulated her arch-rival and said, “Very fast time. I’m so happy”. Such a certificate will surely motivate Beatrice Chebet before her next big race. Meanwhile. her 5000m Olympic trial is on the route.