Good Friday for Beatrice Chebet as World Athletics ratifies her 5km world record

Chebet, the reigning Olympic 5000m and 10000m champion, smashed the record on December 31, 2024, during the Cursa dels Nassos road race in Barcelona—becoming the first woman in history to run under 14 minutes for the distance on any surface.

She obliterated the previous record of 14 minutes 13 seconds set by compatriot Agnes Ngetich by a massive 19 seconds, further cementing her dominance in long-distance running.

The reigning world 10,000m record holder, who was feted Thursday night as the Sportswoman of the Year at SOYA Awards, will open her 2025 track season at the Xiamen Diamond League on April 25.

Chebet opened her 2024 season by defending her World Cross-Country title in Belgrade, Serbia in March.

From there, the 24-year-old lit up the track with a world record performance over 10,000m at the Prefontaine Classic in Eugene, before clinching double gold in 5000m and 10,000m at the Paris Olympic Games.

She posted the season’s fastest 5000m time at the Zurich Diamond League and wrapped up her year with victory at the Diamond League Final in Brussels.

Now eyeing her first world title on the track, Chebet is hungry to upgrade the 5000m silver and bronze she bagged in Eugene (2022) and Budapest (2023) respectively.

Having dethroned Faith Kipyegon over 5000m at the Paris Games, Chebet’s confidence is sky-high heading into the new season.