Timothy Cheruiyot reveals when he plans to hang up his spikes & his post-retirement goals
Timothy Cheruiyot plans to retire from the 1500m after a final championship, transitioning to long-distance and marathon races.
Timothy Cheruiyot has expressed his intention to retire from the 1500m discipline after the 2025 World Championships in Tokyo, Japan.
The 2020 Olympic silver medallist aims to transition to long-distance and road racing, marking a significant shift in his illustrious career.
Cheruiyot, one of the most consistent middle-distance runners over the past decade, has set his sights on concluding his 1500m journey with a strong performance in Tokyo.
“My plan is to post good results at the 2025 World Championships. This will be my last 1500m after having done it for 10 years,” said Cheruiyot as per The Star.
“I will switch to 5000m or 10000m and then the marathon.”
The 29-year-old’s track record speaks for itself. His first major breakthrough came at the 2017 World Championships in London, where he secured a silver medal with a time of 3:33.99, finishing just behind fellow Kenyan Elijah Manang’oi.
Cheruiyot elevated his game in Doha 2019, claiming the world title in 3:29.26, solidifying his place among the sport’s elite.
Cheruiyot also earned a silver medal at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, clocking 3:29.01 in a tightly contested race won by Norway’s Jakob Ingebrigtsen.
His dominance extended to the Diamond League, where he clinched five titles, and his medal haul includes two silvers each from the Commonwealth Games and African Championships.
However, Cheruiyot’s journey has not been without challenges. In Budapest 2023, he suffered a tendon injury that sidelined him for nine months.
Despite the setback, he returned to competitive form, surprising even himself by securing a spot at the 2024 Paris Olympics.
“This season was good for me. Despite tearing both my tendons last year, I am happy I came back strong,” he reflected.
“I started my training later than anyone. Making it to the Olympics surprised me; I did not run with confidence at the trials.”
While Paris didn’t go as planned—Cheruiyot finished 11th in a highly competitive race—he remains optimistic about his future. His focus has shifted to 2024, where he plans to participate in several 10km road races to prepare for his transition.
“I have not done any road race before, but I am hoping to test it next year before Tokyo. I will look for a 10km race to gauge my body,” he explained.
Cheruiyot emphasized the importance of strategic planning with his coach, Bernard Ouma, as he gears up for his sixth World Championships appearance.
“I need to sit down with my coach and plan well on the races I will participate in preparations for the World Championships,” he said.
Having made his global debut in 2015, Cheruiyot’s career has been a mix of highs and lows.
From a seventh-place finish in Beijing to gold in Doha and struggles in recent years, his resilience has been remarkable.
Now, as he nears the twilight of his 1500m career, Cheruiyot is determined to leave on a high note.
His ambition to tackle longer distances and eventually the marathon signals a new chapter for the Kenyan athlete, whose legacy in middle-distance running remains firmly intact.
posted Thursday November 28th
by Festus Chuma