It is official that world under 18 800m silver medalist Lydia Jeruto has graduated to compete in 5,000m away from her favourite two-lap race as she will be seeking her maiden 5,000m in Eldoret’s Athletics Kenya track and field.
As reported by The Star Newspaper, Jeruto, who has been named in the relay team ahead of Africa Cross country championships in Lome Togo will this weekend line-up in women’s 5,000m as Athletics Kenya weekend meetings start at The University of Eldoret.
Coming from Baringo County, Jeruto will be trying her luck in the 12 laps race as she looks to compete for Kenya at the summer Olympic Games in Tokyo, Japan.
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 2020 Discovery Cross country championships winner.
Heading into Africa cross country, she will be marshalling forces world 3,000m record holder Beatrice Chepkoech, Gilbert Kwemoi and Abel Kipsang for the continental relay title chase.
“Running in Eldoret will be part of my speed work and endurance ahead of Africa show. Africa is not an easy target but we need to work hard to achieve great goals,” 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.
She added that she has a great team of runners that include former Commonwealth Games junior champion Richard Kimunyan, Justus Soget among others.
“That is a great team headed by the greatest coach who can guide each runner to greater heights,” she said.
Source: The Star Newspaper