The youngster overcame self-doubt with a commanding victory at the Sirikwa Classic Cross Country, solidifying her confidence and proving she belongs among the best.
When Cynthia Chepkirui crossed the finish line first in the women’s Under-20 6km race at the National Cross-Country Championships, she did not believe she had done it.
Imposter syndrome played a huge role in her doubts and she wanted to prove a point once again, competing at the Discovery Cross Country where she claimed top honours but that was not enough.
Probably, this was because she had started her season on a low note, finishing ninth at the Athletics Kenya cross-country leg in Machakos. She then rounded up the podium at the Bomet leg before breaking into a win at the Eldoret Sports Club.
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South African legend Benni McCarthy has reportedly decided on the men who will join his technical bench when he takes over as Harambee Stars coach.
However, winning the 6km race at the Sirikwa Classic Cross Country has made the form two student at Kalyet Secondary School gain more confidence in what she can be able to achieve.
“I want to thank God for enabling me to run well and become position one…the race was very competitive and the sun and strong winds were also an issue but I pushed on and managed to win the race,” Cynthia Chepkirui told reporters after the race.
“At the National Cross-Country Championships, I was in position three but I didn’t believe it. Today has proven to me that I’m among the best.
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“I’m now preparing to run on the track in the 10,000 m, and I appreciate my coach for always walking with me.”
Chepkirui will also be targeting a slot in the Africa Championships, where she hopes to represent Kenya and hopefully also make it to the podium.
The youngster started her career as an athlete in 2024, finishing a distant 14th at the 2nd Athletics Kenya track and field weekend meeting. She was competing in the 5000m where she crossed the finish line in 16:29.35.
Chepkirui then got a chance to represent Kenya at the sixth African Cross-Country Championships where she faded to 11th place in the 6km race, clocking 21:20.
She rounded up her track season with a 10th-place finish in the 5000m at the National Trials for World Athletics Under 20 Championships before beginning her cross country season later in the year.