Kericho Sisters Shine Amid Rain at Junior Athletics Meet

Joy Chepchumba soars over the water jump with poise and determination during the 2000m junior secondary steeplechase at the Kericho County athletics meet, clocking 6:28 to finish second.

Under a cloudy sky heavy with rain, the Kericho County junior athletics track glistened as 15-year-old Joy Chepchumba and her younger sister Lindah Chebet, 11, took center stage. Lindah had earlier crossed the finish line in the primary school 1500m with a winning time of 4:36.17, while Joy finished second in the 2000m steeplechase for junior secondary school in 6:28. Despite the wet conditions, their performances highlighted a new wave of female talent emerging from the county.

Rising Talent in Kericho County

The two sisters, Chepchumba and Chebet train under Coach Mathew Kemei with Chepseon Athletics, at Chepsir, a training ground that borders the vast Mau Forest. Their dedication, early morning training routines, and strong sibling support have shaped their rapid rise in junior athletics.

Kericho County’s talent pool extends beyond the sisters. Steeplechase specialists like Mercy Chepng’eno and Abigael Kosgei, both junior athletes, train under Coach Peter Kipng’eno at Chagaik Secondary School, located within one of the county’s sprawling tea estates. Together, these athletes show that Kericho is steadily producing world-class female runners ready to compete nationally and internationally.

Discipline and Family Support: The Backbone of Success

For the Chepchumba sisters, athletics is a lifestyle. Days begin before dawn with disciplined training sessions carefully balanced with schoolwork and family responsibilities. “We motivate each other every day,” said Joy. Lindah added, “Winning today inspires me to work even harder.”

Coaches and spectators at the meet praised their commitment and natural talent. “Kericho has incredible potential,” Coach Kemei said. “These girls are disciplined, fast, and focused. With the right guidance, they can compete at the highest levels.”

A Glimpse Into the Future

The sisters’ performances are more than personal victories; they are transforming their families and inspiring their community, particularly young girls who now see athletics as a path to opportunity. Both Joy and Lindah are expected to feature prominently in upcoming national junior championships, joining peers like Chepng’eno and Kosgei in representing Kericho’s rising female talent.

In Kericho County, mornings on the track are more than a test of speed—they are proving grounds for talent, resilience, and dreams. Every stride the Chepchumba sisters take brings them closer to becoming the next stars of Kenyan athletics, one race at a time.

Kids Lead the Way as Athletics Kenya Reconnects Sport with Communities

Athletics Kenya’s Kids’ Athletics initiative is helping to rekindle the country’s deep-rooted running culture by introducing children to the sport at the community level. Speaking during a lively community run held on February 21 at Lemolok Primary School, Athletics Kenya Youth Development Director Barnaba Korir said the program aims to inspire young athletes while bringing families and communities back into the heart of the sport.

The event attracted hundreds of enthusiastic children who lined up eagerly for their races, turning the school grounds into a vibrant celebration of youth athletics.

A Festival of Running for All Generations

Parents, teachers, and even elderly community members joined the activities, with some taking part in the races themselves. Their participation added color and excitement to the competition, transforming the event into a true community celebration.

Families cheered loudly as young runners dashed across the field, while teachers encouraged their students from the sidelines.

A range of material awards was also presented to participants, recognizing effort and encouraging friendly competition among the young athletes.

Nurturing Talent Through Kids’ Athletics

Korir said initiatives such as the community run are part of a broader strategy to ensure children discover athletics early and develop an interest in sport.

“Our goal is to make athletics fun and accessible to children,” he said. “When young kids begin running and enjoying the sport at this age, they grow up understanding athletics and the opportunities it can bring.”

Through the Kids’ Athletics initiative, children are introduced to basic athletic skills such as running, jumping, and coordination while discovering the events that suit them best.

Korir also highlighted the role of Athletics Kenya’s junior training camps, which have nurtured many of the country’s current global stars. These camps provide structured development programs that help promising athletes transition from grassroots participation to national and international competition.

“Many of the athletes who are now representing Kenya on the global stage first passed through these junior programs,” Korir explained.

Reconnecting Athletics with Its Roots

The event was hosted by Jackson Tuwei, President of Athletics Kenya and Vice President of World Athletics, who emphasized the importance of reconnecting athletics with its community roots.

Tuwei said Kenya’s legendary success in distance running began at the grassroots level, where young athletes first discovered their talent in village competitions.

“Historically, athletics in this country started in the community,” he said. “When children run and the whole village comes together to support them, it creates excitement and inspiration. That is how future champions are born.”

For Athletics Kenya, initiatives like the community run are not only about competition but about building a strong future for the sport.

For the hundreds of children who took part at Lemolok Primary School, the races offered excitement, discovery, and the first steps into the world of athletics. And for some, it could mark the beginning of a journey that leads far beyond their village tracks—to the global stage where Kenya’s next generation of champions will emerge.