BY AGENCY: World 3,000m steeplechase champion Faith Cherotich delivered a masterclass in tactical racing on Wednesday night, July 29, winning Kenya’s second gold medal at the 2026 Commonwealth Games in a record-shattering performance.

The youngster stormed across the finish line in an extraordinary 9:01.76, erasing the previous Commonwealth Games record and capping off an inspirational comeback following an early-season injury.

Former Olympic champion Peruth Chemutai of Uganda dictated the early tempo, riding high on momentum from recent Diamond League victories in Xiamen and Shanghai.

Cherotich maintained composure, shadowing the Ugandan leader before striking with approximately 600 meters to go. Surging to the front, Cherotich steadily turned up the pace before kicking hard into the final bend, leaving the field behind in the home straight.

Great Britain’s Elise Thorner executed a strong late push to claim silver in a personal best of 9:05.45, while a tiring Chemutai took bronze in 9:09.96. Kenya’s Celestine Biwott finished seventh, stopping the clock at 9:33.61.

“I ran my race, and I was not looking back,” Cherotich said following her victory. “The only tactic I had was to win the race, nothing else.”

Mixed Fortunes Across the Track

Team Kenya experienced a blend of triumph and heartbreak across other track and field disciplines in Glasgow.

Reigning world 800m champion Lilian Odira kept Kenya’s medal hunt alive by dominating her semifinal heat in 1:59.39, easily securing a spot in the final. She finished clear of SVG’s Shafiqua Maloney (1:59.81) and Jamaica’s Kelly-Ann Beckford (1:59.96). However, compatriot Janet Jepkemoi missed out on the final after placing fifth in her heat (2:02.08).

The men’s 1500m brought unexpected drama as world bronze medalist Reynold Cheruiyot suffered a rare mishap on the track, failing to finish despite looking well-placed during the qualification push.

In the sprint events, Zablon Ekwam provided a massive boost, blazing to a season’s best of 20.42 seconds to win his 200m heat and advance automatically. Teammate Elkana Sabila was less fortunate, pulling up with an injury mid-race.

Meanwhile, Vanice Kerubo Nyagisera advanced in the women’s 400m hurdles (56.43), while field athlete Isaac Kirwa Yego finished 12th in the men’s long jump (7.28m).