Chebet targets World Relay spot as 2026 season takes shape

Fresh from an emphatic season opener, 2024 national 400m champion Mercy Chebet has turned her attention to earning a place in Team Kenya for the World Relays as she builds towards a demanding 2026 campaign.

The World Relays are scheduled for May 2–3 in Gaborone, Botswana, before the continental focus shifts to Accra, where the African Championships will run from May 12–17 at the University of Ghana Sports Stadium in Legon.

Chebet sent an early warning to her rivals after emphatically opening her season at the second Athletics Kenya (AK) Weekend Meeting held at Thika Stadium.

The 24-year-old powered to victory in the women’s 400m, stopping the clock at 53.8 seconds. Hellen Syombua finished second in 54.5, while Purity Chepkoech claimed third in 54.8. “We have the World Relays coming up, and my target is to push myself to ensure I make the team,” Chebet said.

The youngster has become a familiar figure in Kenya’s relay set-ups over the past few seasons. Last year, she was part of the 4x400m mixed relay team alongside David Sanayek, Brian Tinega and Mercy Oketch that clinched bronze at the World Relays in Guangzhou, China, clocking 3:13.10.

Kenya finished behind the United States (3:09.54) and Australia (3:12.20). Chebet also made her Olympic debut in Paris in 2024, again featuring in the mixed 4x400m relay.

Teaming up with Sanayek, Veronica Mutua and Boniface Mweresa, the quartet clocked 3:13.13 to place seventh in their heat, narrowly missing qualification for the final. The Olympic title was claimed by the Netherlands (3:07.43), ahead of the USA (3:07.74) and Great Britain (3:08.01).

Later that season, Chebet lined up in the mixed 4x400m at the African Championships, running alongside Zablon Ekwam, Sanayek and Mutua.

The Kenyan team narrowly missed the podium, finishing fourth in 3:16.59, as South Africa (3:13.12), Nigeria (3:13.72) and Botswana (3:15.93) claimed the medals.

Beyond the relay baton, Chebet is equally determined to make her mark in the individual one-lap race, with another continental appearance firmly in her plans. “The African Championships are also coming up, and that is also in my focus for the season,” she added.

Her 2024 individual campaign at the championships ended in disappointment after a DNS in the semi-finals, despite showing strong form earlier. She had clocked 52.45 seconds to win her heat and comfortably qualify for the semis.

With renewed ambition and unfinished business, Chebet says her current training focus is on refining her speed to complement her endurance. “Right now I have the endurance; I only need to sharpen my speed,” she said.