Faith Cherotich wins gold for Kenya in the women’s 3000m steeplechase at the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games, clocking a Games Record time of 9:01.76 to continue Kenya’s long-standing dominance in the event.
Faith Cherotich’s Gold Medal Run at Scotstoun Stadium
Cherotich, the reigning world champion in the 3000m steeplechase, went into the Glasgow final as the overwhelming favourite and delivered. She crossed the line in 9:01.76, a new Games Record, comfortably ahead of England’s Elise Thorner, who ran a personal best of 9:05.45 to take silver. Uganda’s Peruth Chemutai completed the podium in bronze.
The performance extends Kenya’s decades-long grip on the women’s steeplechase at global championships, an event where Kenyan athletes have repeatedly stood atop the podium at the Olympics, World Championships, and Commonwealth Games alike.
Who Is Faith Cherotich? A Rising Kenyan Athletics Star
At just 22, Cherotich’s rise to the top of world steeplechase has been rapid. She first drew international attention at the 2021 World Under-20 Championships in Nairobi, where she claimed bronze, before returning a year later to win the World U20 title in Cali, Colombia. She then went on to become the reigning senior world champion after her win at the 2025 World Championships in Tokyo, a title she carried into Glasgow as the woman to beat.
Her Commonwealth gold now sits alongside a world title and multiple age-group championships, cementing her as one of the faces of the next generation of Kenyan distance runners.
Kenyan Leaders React to Faith Cherotich’s Commonwealth Gold
News of the win sparked an outpouring of national pride, with prominent Kenyan figures publicly celebrating the achievement. Onesimus Kipchumba Murkomen was among those who congratulated Cherotich, framing the win as another chapter in Kenya’s proud steeplechase legacy. Former Sports Cabinet Secretary Charles Keter also praised her performance and the new record, calling it a proud moment for Team Kenya and an inspiration for upcoming athletes.
The tributes reflect a wider sentiment across the country: Cherotich’s win isn’t just another medal — it’s confirmation that Kenya remains the benchmark in the women’s steeplechase on the world stage.
What’s Next for Team Kenya at Glasgow 2026
Kenya’s 52-strong athletics squad in Glasgow will look to build on Cherotich’s win as the Commonwealth Games athletics program continues. For now, though, the celebration belongs to Cherotich — a Commonwealth champion, a Games Record holder, and one of the brightest stars in Kenyan sport.
