Beatrice Chebet propelled herself into greatness after becoming the first woman to post a sub-29min 10,000m run. The 24-year-old Kenyan track and field star clocked in 10,000m in 28:54.14s at the 2024 Prefontaine Classic. What’s even more staggering is that it was Chebet’s first time running the event outside Kenya. However, the long-distance runner’s talent may have remained untapped if not for her incredibly supportive family.

Besides her supportive grandmother and parents, Beatrice Chebet has an elder sister, Sandra Chebet. Two years younger than her sister, the 24-year-old has followed in her footsteps since primary school. However, her family didn’t let her neglect education for sports. So, Chebet continued to run without training long after graduating from Saramek Secondary School in Londiani. It wasn’t until 2016 that the athlete’s grandmother approached her with an offer.

Meet track sensation Beatrice Chebet’s family

Beatrice Chebet was born to Francis and Lilian Kirui on March 5th, 2000. Unfortunately, not much is known about the Kenyan long-distance runner’s parents or their profession. However, they provided the world championship silver medalist with the right environment to foster growth. It’s evident from her interviews that the 24-year-old holds immense respect for her parents.

“My parents mean the world to me,” Chebet told Nation Africa in 2023. The 2022 Diamond League 5000m gold medalist also said that she “asked god” to give her parents a long life so they may witness her reach new heights with pride. Francis and Lilian Kirui were also adamant about their daughter completing her education even before she considered pursuing a career in track and field.

However, Sandra Chebet is the one responsible for sparking the fire of competitiveness in her younger sister. The 26-year-old showed her sister that fostering a competitive spirit would lead to success. Sandra Chebet won bronze in the 3000m event in the 2015 Africa U18 championships and made it to the World U20 Championships. Yet, Beatrice didn’t realize her full potential until she was 16 when her grandmother asked her if would pursue track and field full-time.

How did the track sensation’s family support her dreams?

In an August 2023 interview with Nation Africa, Beatrice Chebet revealed that it was her grandmother who pushed her to compete professionally. After her grandmother’s neighbor had seen the long-distance runner in her element, they advised the then-16-year-old’s grandmother to let her train under a coach. The track sensation’s granny then approached Paul Kemei of Lemotit Athletics Club, who took Chebet under his wing.

“I was more than ready to take up athletics as long as she supported me,” Chebet told Nation Africa. Yet, her parents would be equally supportive of Beatrice Chebet’s career choice. “We have always supported her since we realised that she had athletics talent when she was in class four in Kericho,” Kirui told the new outlet. Her parents were also pleased that their younger daughter didn’t neglect her studies and secured a job with the Kenya Police.

Today, Beatrice Chebet’s family continues to support her in every way and is excited to see her take on the 10,000m challenge in Paris.