Running News Daily

Cheptai to compete in two 10k races in United States

Former world cross country champion Irine Cheptai will compete in two 10km road races in the United States in preparation for her second career marathon.

The reigning Commonwealth Games 10,000m silver medalist, who last month won the Hamburg Marathon in her 42km debut, said she will be competing at the Boston 10km on June 23 as well as the Peachtree 10km race on July 4.

“I want to use the two races as part of my preparations for the next marathon,” said Cheptai.

The former track queen said she has to work on her speed because the tempo in the 10km race is different.

“Right now, I am training for the 10k,  which has a different program unlike in marathons,’” she said. She said her victory on her marathon debut took her by surprise.

" It was like a miracle beating bigwigs in the marathon after switching from track and cross country to marathon," she noted. 

Chepati said: “I want to build up on my victory in Hamburg and win more major races,” said Cheptai.

The 2008 world junior cross country silver medalist won the Hamburg in her personal best time of 2:18.21 ahead of compatriot Winfridah Moset (2:18.24) and Ethiopian Gotytom Gebreslase (2:21.18).

“After competing on track and cross country, I feel I am ripe for the marathon,” said Cheptai.