Cheserek dives into steeplechase dream as Club Games beckon

Tecla Cheserek has thrown her weight fully behind the 3,000m steeplechase for the 2026 season, boldly shifting focus as she chases a maiden call-up to Team Kenya for the Commonwealth Games in August.

Traditionally a 5,000m runner, Cheserek says the decision to embrace the water-and-barrier test was inspired by her coach, who identified her untapped potential in the demanding event.

“I usually run the 5,000m on the track, but after running the steeplechase last year, I realised it suited me well,” Cheserek said.

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“That’s when I decided to switch my focus to it this year. My coach has also encouraged me to keep putting more effort into the event.”

Cheserek first dipped her toes into the steeplechase during last year’s Athletics Kenya weekend meetings, using the series as a learning curve in the discipline.

At the fifth AK meet, she announced herself with a podium finish, clocking 10:34.15 to place third behind Anastasha Cheptoo (10:16.75) and Purity Kirui (10:29.06).

Her momentum briefly stalled at the sixth AK meeting, where she narrowly missed the podium, settling for fifth place in 10:29.84.

The Ngong-based runner has already signalled her intent early in the 2026 campaign, opening the season with back-to-back podium finishes at the second AK weekend meeting held at Thika Stadium on January 17.

In the steeplechase, Cheserek clocked 10:34.6 to finish second behind Mercy Chepng’eno, who took top honours in 10:28.9, with Winsam Jerono completing the podium in 10:35.5.

Cheserek also doubled up in the 10,000m, grinding out a third-place finish in 35:27.0, behind Nympha Kiteta (34:21.7) and Fridah Ndinda (34:36.0).

She believes the Thika outing was a timely indicator of where she stands physically as the season gathers pace.

“The Thika meeting was important for me to gauge my body and my form for the 2026 season,” she said.

With the year still unfolding, Cheserek’s eyes are firmly fixed on wearing the Kenyan singlet for the first time at the Commonwealth stage in the steeplechase.

“For 2026, my biggest target is to push myself so that I can make Team Kenya for the Commonwealth Games,” she said.

However, she is under no illusions about the work that lies ahead, admitting that refining her barrier clearance will be crucial ahead of the national trials.

“I have not yet perfected my clearance on the barriers, but that is an area I really want to work on,” she noted.

Beyond technique, she is also keen to sharpen her speed and finishing kick, setting her sights on breaking the 10-minute barrier.

“I also want to improve my speed so that I can have a strong finishing kick,” Cheserek added. “My target is to clock sub-10 minutes in the steeplechase.”