Timothy Cheruiyot reveals date for 1500m retirement
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Reading Time: 2min | Fri. 29.11.24. | 15:42
The 29-year-old aims to transition to longer distances and road running following his final bow on the track.
2020 Tokyo Olympic silver medallist and one of the most consistent middle-distance runners of the last decade Timothy Cheruiyot has announced his intention to retire from the 1500m.
The lanky athlete earmarked the 2025 World Championships in Tokyo, Japan, which is slated for Saturday 13 to Sunday 21 September as his possible retirement date.
The 29-year-old aims to transition to longer distances and road running following his final bow on the track.
Cheruiyot, who has been a dominant force in the 1500m, expressed his desire to end his tenure in the event on a high note.
“I plan to post good results at the 2025 World Championships. This will be my last 1500m after having done it for 10 years,” he said as per The Star.
Cheruiyot’s stellar career includes a World Championships silver medal in London 2017, where he clocked 3:33.99 behind compatriot Elijah Manang’oi.
Two years later in Doha, he cemented his dominance, clinching gold in a blistering 3:29.26.
At the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, Cheruiyot secured silver, clocking 3:29.01, finishing just behind Norway’s Jakob Ingebrigtsen.
He has also claimed five Diamond League titles, two Commonwealth Games silver medals (Gold Coast 2018 and Birmingham 2022), and two African Championships silver medals (Durban 2016 and Nigeria 2018).
With a decorated 1500m career behind him, Cheruiyot is setting his sights on new challenges, including the 5000m, 10,000m, and the marathon.
“I will switch to 5000m or 10000m and then the marathon. I have several 10km races lined up as I prepare for the transition,” he revealed.
Although he has never competed in a road race, Cheruiyot plans to test his mettle in a 10km event next year as part of his preparation.
“I need to sit down with my coach and plan well for the races I will participate in as I prepare for the World Championships,” he said.
Reflecting on his recent season, Cheruiyot highlighted his comeback from a double tendon injury last year, which saw him commence training later than his competitors.
Despite the setback, he managed to qualify for the Olympics, an achievement he described as surprising.
Cheruiyot could only afford an 11th-place finish, clocking 3:31.35 to cross the finish line in the hotly contested race.
“This season was good for me. Despite tearing both my tendons last year, I am happy I came back strong.
Making it to the Olympics surprised me; I did not run with confidence at the trials,” he concluded.
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