Kenya's Faith Cherotich clinched the women's 3000m steeplechase gold at the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, setting a new Games record of 9:01.76. She surpassed the previous mark of 9:15.68 set by fellow Kenyan Jackline Chepkoech in 2022.
The 22-year-old athlete revealed that her strategy centered on patience and targeting the win rather than chasing a fast finishing time. "I wasn’t focusing on the clock, just on winning the race," Cherotich said, highlighting the importance of composure during the contest.
Cherotich also noted that she monitored the weather closely ahead of the final, concerned about rain that had disrupted other events the previous day. Fortunately, conditions remained favourable for her race.
Her approach involved resisting early pace-setting by competitors, conserving energy before taking the lead after the first three laps. This tactical move allowed her to pull ahead decisively, holding off England's Elise Thorner, who took silver with a personal best of 9:05.45, and Uganda's Peruth Chemutai, who earned bronze in 9:09.45.
This victory further demonstrates Kenya’s dominance in the women’s steeplechase, building on Chepkoech’s record from Birmingham. Cherotich attributed success partly to adapting to varying weather conditions, noting that while some athletes struggled with the rain, individual preparation and mindset were key.
Her triumph not only brought home gold but also added to Kenya’s rich legacy in athletics at the Commonwealth Games.
