Beatrice Chebet clinches silver for Kenya in women’s 5,000m

Kenya’s Beatrice Chebet on Sunday morning produced a valiant effort to win silver in the women’s 5000m final at the World Athletics Championships in Oregon. 

Chebet ,22, clocked a seasonal best time of 14:47.75 behind Ethiopia’s Gudaf Tsegay who the race, timing season’s best time of 14: 46: 75. 

“I did not expect to win,” Chebet said. “It was a matter of tactics. I was well positioned. I am happy to bring a medal to my country and I know they are proud of me.” 

Another Ethiopian, Dawit Seyaum,  sprinted home third for bronze in 14:47.36 

Kenya’s Margaret Chelimo finished fourth in 14.47.71 in the race missing former two-time world champion Hellen Obiri -who won 10,000m silver behind Ethiopia’s Letesenbet Gidey.

World record-holder Letesenbet Gidey faded down the straight to miss the podium after finishing fifth.

The Netherlands’ 5,000m Olympic champion Sifan Hassan could only finish sixth, meaning she will depart Oregon not having made the podium in either the 5,000 or 10,000m. 

Hassan produced a stunning 1,500m-10,000m double at the 2019 world championships in Doha before winning 5,000m and 10,000m gold and 1,500m bronze at last year’s Olympics in Tokyo. 

Kenya’s Gloria Kite, who clocked 15:01.22 finished tenth out of the 11 starting runners.