© Copyright – 2026 – Athletics Illustrated
Kenyan Beatrice Chebet is pregnant and, according to her social media, will miss all of 2026.
She is a three-time World Cross Country Champion and holds world records in the 5 km (road), 5000m and 10,000m events. Prognosticators were expecting Chebet to challenge for the 2026 World Cross Country Championships in Tallahassee, Florida, on January 11, even though she did not compete in the Kenyan national championships.
Chebet won both the Bathurst and Belgrade World Cross Country Championships in 2023 and 2024. She also won the U20 World Cross Country Championships in 2019 in Aarhus, Denmark. Her three world records came in 2024 and 2025.
Chebet is the first woman in history to run sub-29 minutes in the 10,000m event. She is also the first to run under 14 minutes in the 5000m and sub-14 in the road 5 km event. She ran 28:54.14, 13:54 and 13:58.06, respectively.
The 25-year-old will be 26 when the baby arrives. It is assumed that she will resume her athletics career in 2027, as she states on Instagram. Fellow Kenyan Faith Kipyegon had—as many other women have—improvements in her performance after giving birth.
Kipyegon became a mother in 2018. Since then, she has assaulted the record books. Currently, she holds the world record in the 1500m event at 3:48.68 in 2025 at the Prefontaine Classic in Eugene, Oregon. A month later, she set the African record for the 3000m, clocking 8:07.04. Kiyegon holds the mile record at 4:07.64, which she set in July of 2023.
The 31-year-old (32 on January 10) previously held the 5000m record at 14:05.20, also set in 2023. She holds the current 1000m African record at 2:29.15.
Kenyan teams for 2026 Tallahassee World Championships
Senior women: Caren Chebet, Maurine Chebor, Joyline Chepkemoi, Brenda Jepchumba Kenei, Rebecca Mwangi, Agnes Ngetich
Senior men: Kevin Chesang, Daniel Ebenyo, Denis Kipkoech Kipkemoi, Robert Koech, Shadrack Koech, Weldon Langat
U20 women: Mercy Jelimo, Miriam Chemutai Kibet, Cynthia Chepkirui, Caren Chepngeno, Mercy Chepngeno, Lonah Cherono
U20 men: Andrew Alamisi, Frankline Kibet, Emmanuel Kiprono, Kelvin Kariankei, Andrew Kiptoo, Edwin Elkana
Mixed relay: Purity Chepkirui, Reynold Cheruiyot, Judy Kemunto, David Kipkoech, Winfred Mbithe, Daniel Munguti
