Beatrice Chebet out of hat-trick attempt at World Cross Country championships
.jpg)
.jpg)
Reading Time: 2min | Thu. 01.01.26. | 11:25
The 25-year-old had earlier been named as a reserve, before missing out on the team list
Double Olympic champion Beatrice Chebet will miss out on a chance to bag a third-straight World Cross Country Championships crown after being left out of Team Kenya’s squad to this year’s event in Tallahassee on 10 January.
Follow our WhatsApp channel for more news
Chebet, who won back-to-back titles in Bathurst (2023) and Belgrade (2024), had been initially named as a reserve for the 46th edition of the World Cross Country Championships, but misses all together, months after opting out of the national trials on Saturday, 25 October in Eldoret.
Chebet was looking at becoming only the third woman in history to win three consecutive senior crowns, joining American Lynn Jennings (1990, 1991, 1992) and Norway's Grete Waitz (1978, 1979, 1980, 1981).
.jpg)
Her absence as one of the key experienced members of the squad leaves Kenya leaning on world 10 km record-holder Agnes Ngetich to lead the chase for the women’s senior title.
Ng’etich, who claimed world cross country bronze in 2023, will be joined by national trials winner Maurine Chebor, Keringet’s Brenda Jepchumba Kenei, Joyciline Chepkemoi, Rebecca Mwangi and Caren Chebet.
World half marathon silver medalist Daniel Ebenyo, on the other hand, will act as team captain, while also leading the men’s senior team.
The Kenyan trials winner and sixth-place finisher at the 2023 World Cross Country Championships, will line up alongside Kevin Chesang, Denis Kipkoech Kipkemoi, Shadrack Koech, Weldon Langat and Robert Koech.
The mixed relay team will consist of two winners from Belgrade two years ago, in the form of World 1500m bronze medalist Reynold Cheruiyot and Purity Chepkirui.
The squad of 30 earlier this week shifted its camp to the Moi International Sports Centre, Kasarani, having resided at St. Mark’s Teachers College, Kigari, in Embu, a destination believed to offer near-similar experiences to those in America.
It is predicted that temperatures at the Apalachee Regional Park will be freezing cold.
At the previous edition of the championships in Belgrade, Serbia, Kenya topped the medal table after hauling in an impressive 11 medals (six gold, two silver and three bronze).
.jpg)
Kenyan team for Tallahassee
Senior women: Caren Chebet, Maurine Chebor, Joyline Chepkemoi, Brenda Jepchumba Kenei, Rebecca Mwangi, Agnes Ngetich
Senior men: Kevin Chesang, Daniel Ebenyo, Denis Kipkoech Kipkemoi, Robert Koech, Shadrack Koech, Weldon Langat
U20 women: ‎Mercy Jelimo, Miriam Chemutai Kibet, Cynthia Chepkirui, Caren Chepngeno, Mercy Chepngeno, Lonah Cherono
U20 men: Andrew Alamisi, Frankline Kibet, Emmanuel Kiprono, Kelvin Kariankei, Andrew Kiptoo, Edwin Elkana
Mixed relay: ‎Purity Chepkirui, Reynold Cheruiyot, Judy Kemunto, David Kipkoech, Winfred Mbithe, Daniel Munguti
