After graduating for 800m to 5,000m, World under 18 800m silver medalist Lydia Jeruto was set to run at the global stage at the Doha Diamond League but her the journey was cut short due to the spread of coronavirus pandemic.
She ran in her first 5,000m, finishing 4th during the opening leg of Athletics Kenya track and field in Eldoret.
As she set to conquer in her new category, her journey to stardom has been affected by the virus but that has not killed her spirit.
Coming from Baringo County, Jeruto said the virus will not stop her career but it is just for a short time that the normalization will return she will be back competing in the races both locally and at the international level.
Unfortunately, her 5,000m race was removed from the Diamond League series hence she was to run in 1,500m.
“I was to run in 1,500m as part of my speed as my aim was to run at the Olympic Games in 5,000m but that opportunity has been lost,” said Jeruto.
She said her preparations in training has been immense and looking forward to a better transition, which is not easy for many runners.
“In recent days, I have been very busy with many races to gauge my speed and endurance. Transiting into 5,000m was a personal choice and I want to make an impact, the way I did in previous races,” said Jeruto.
The reigning Discovery Cross country champion added that the virus has made life expensive as an athlete who depends heavily in athletics.
Apart from the Diamond League, she was named in the Africa cross country where the championships were postponed.
“It is not just athletes who are suffering but other departments across the world. But we have to accept the situation and move on. Now am seriously training in readiness for any race across the world,” she said.
She said that she decided to compete in 5,000m following her good run in 2019 World cross country championships in Aarhus, Denmark, finishing in 13th position.
“After running well 6km, and completing in such position, I decided to take the challenge a notch higher. That is why I made my mind to conquer in the 5,000m. if I can complete 6km, what will stop me from winning 5,000m,” questioned Jeruto.