In the unforgiving world of Kenyan athletics, adaptation is the key to survival. Tecla Cheserek, a name usually associated with the rhythmic grind of the 5,000m, has made a bold gamble. She is crossing over to the grueling 3,000m steeplechase, aiming to conquer the barriers and the water jump to book her ticket to the 2026 Commonwealth Games.

It is a transition that has broken many athletes. The steeplechase requires a unique blend of endurance and agility—the lungs of a marathoner and the legs of a hurdler. But Cheserek is not just dipping her toes in the water; she is diving in headfirst.

The Switch

"I usually run the 5,000m, but after running the steeplechase last year, I realized it suited me well," Cheserek revealed. It was a moment of epiphany on the track.

• Early Promise: Her decision is backed by results. She opened her 2026 campaign with a second-place finish at the Athletics Kenya meet in Thika, clocking 10:34.6. It wasn't a win, but it was a statement.
• The Goal: The target is the "Club Games" in August. With the depth of Kenyan talent, making the team is often harder than winning the medal itself. Cheserek knows she has to shave off seconds to compete with the likes of Beatrice Chepkoech’s successors.
• Coach’s Call: Her coach spotted the potential—the way she attacked the barriers rather than floating over them. It is a technical edge that could make the difference.

The Kenyan Lens

The steeplechase is Kenya’s event. It is our heritage. We own the barriers. Seeing a 5,000m runner switch disciplines shows the intense internal competition in our athletics. When one door closes (or becomes too crowded), you kick down another.

Cheserek’s journey will be watched closely. If she succeeds, she joins the pantheon of versatile Kenyan legends. If she fails, the water jump will be a cold, wet reminder of the risk she took. But as they say in Iten, "No pain, no podium."