Chemnung keen to represent Kenya at Tokyo World Championships

NAIROBI, Kenya, January 20, 2025 – Tokyo Half Marathon champion Loice Chemnung is ready for the fierce fight for a place at this year’s World Championships in Tokyo.

Chemnung admits that the competition for places in Team Kenya will be tough but promises she will do all in her power to secure her slot on the plane.

“The competition to get into the team will be tough but I want to try my best and make it. There are so many vying for a place in the women’s 5000m and 10,000m but I want to be one of those going to Tokyo,” the 27-year-old said.

Chemnung has been in excellent form over the last 10 months or so, finishing on the podium in seven out of the eight races in which she has competed.

She closed out 2024 on a high, clocking 30:25 to win the Hong Kong International 10km race in November.

It followed on from the Tokyo Half Marathon – her highlight of the year – where she clocked a course record of 1:07:27 to cross the finish line first.

On Saturday, she continued with her rich vein of form, timing 33:09.7 to win the senior women’s 10km race at the Kenya Prisons Cross Country Championships at the Prisons Staff Training College in Ruiru.

In second place was Brillian Chepkorir who clocked 33:27.7 as African 800m silver medalist Lilian Odira came third in 33:44.9.

Chemnung was delighted with her latest achievement.

“It was a great race and I thank God for coming out on top. I last won in this competition in 2019 when I had just been recruited into the service and then I went for maternity leave. I have now come back stronger,” she said.

The tRUNsylvania 10km champion will be hoping for another podium finish when she takes to the course at the National Cross Country Championships on February 8 in Eldoret.

Leave a comment