Commonwealth Games: Cheptai shifts focus to road races after 10000m silver
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Reading Time: 2min | Thu. 04.08.22. | 16:02
Cheptai bagged Kenya's third silver medal at the Commonwealth Games
The 2017 IAAF World Cross Country Championships gold medalist Irene Cheptai is looking to fully transition to road races after claiming silver in the women’s 10000m at the Commonwealth Games.
The long-distance runner hinted that the 10000m race on Wednesday could be her final race on the track as she looks to make the complete switch to marathons.
Cheptai admitted that she was elated to bag silver in what could be her last straw on the track as she revealed that she has a marathon lined up in a fortnight.
“I'm very happy to win the silver but my next plan is to move to road races and I have a race in two weeks' time which will be of the 10km category,” said Cheptai.
Scotland's Eilish McColgan who mined gold in the 10000m followed in her mother’s footsteps, Liz McColgan won the same title in 1986 and 1990 – as well as the world title in 1991.
Kenya settled for bronze through Sheila Kiprotich who appeared to suffer an injury with more than four laps to go but limped on to finish clear of Uganda’s defending champion Stella Chesang.
Cheptai acknowledged that the race was tough as she went on to open up on her race strategy with Kiprotich which led to the double podium finish.
“The race wasn't easy, it was really tiresome, the local lady (Eilish McColgan) was not easy to beat but we assisted each other with Sheila until we got silver and bronze which we are very thankful for.
Sheila told me to stick to the front and I decided to take her advice but it wasn't my day, we planned to push ourselves and get into the medals bracket,” added Cheptai.
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