Chebet itching to defend title in Serbia World Cross Country Championships

World Cross Country Champion Beatrice Chebet is thoroughly sharpening her claws ahead of the 45th World Athletics Cross Country Championships slated for March 30 in Belgrade, Serbia.

Chebet, who won bronze in the 2023 World Athletics Championships in Budapest, Hungary will be hoping to improve on that performance come March.

In the World Athletics Cross Country Championships Bathurst 23, Chebet won in 33:48 after overpowering pre-race Ethiopian favorite Letesenbet Gidey, who fell and was disqualified meters from the finish. She will be looking to extend her fine run.

Speaking after emerging victorious in the Kenya Police Service Cross Country Championships staged at the Ngong Racecourse on Friday, 19 January, Chebet said that she is itching for gold in the upcoming championships.

She explained that the championships served as a springboard ahead of the main deal in March.

"This is part of my preparations ahead of my world cross-country title defense. This victory indicates that I am on the right path even though the race was quite competitive considering the rich field," said Chebet.

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The reigning Commonwealth Games 5,000m champion further noted that she had set her gaze on the Olympic Games where she is optimistic that she will impress.

"I'm tired of being second every time. I also want that taste of gold medals. I have won junior track and cross-country titles and senior cross-country titles. I now want the big one at the Olympics," the visibly motivated Chebet offered.

At the Kenya Police Service Cross Country Championships, the 2019 World U20 Cross Country champion crossed the line in 34:44:85 to claim her maiden Police title.

She came in at a disappointing fifth finish last year.

Gladys Kwamboka from the National Police Service Main Campus settled for second place in 34:47:11, seconds ahead of Margret Chelimo of Eastern who completed the podium in 34:47:59.

In the men's category, World 10,000m and half marathon silver medallist Daniel Simiu won his maiden Police Cross Country title after clocking 29:48:49.

He crossed the mark ahead of Edwin Kiplagat from Rapid Deployment Unit (RDU) and DCI's African Games 5,000m champion Robert Kiprop who finished in 30:17.91 and 30:43.6 respectively.