World Champ Faith Cherotich Bags Kenya's Second Gold Breaks Commonwealth Games Record

World 3000m steeplechase champion Faith Cherotich produced a commanding performance to win Kenya’s second gold medal at the 2026 Commonwealth Games, after storming to victory in a Games record time on Wednesday, 29 July in Glasgow.

The youngster clocked an impressive 9:01.76 to shatter the previous Commonwealth Games record, capping off a remarkable return after battling an early-season injury.

Great Britain’s Elise Thorner claimed silver in a personal best of 9:05.45, while Chemutai settled for bronze in 9:09.96 after leading for much of the contest.

Kenya’s other representative, Celestine Biwott, finished seventh in 9:33.61.

Elsewhere, Team Kenya enjoyed mixed fortunes across the athletics programme.

World 800m champion Lilian Odira boosted Kenya’s medal hopes by winning the opening women’s 800m semifinal in 1:59.39, to comfortably book her place in the final.

She finished ahead of Shafiqua Maloney (1:59.81), while Jamaica’s Kelly-Ann Beckford completed the top three in 1:59.96.

However, Janet Jepkemoi failed to progress after finishing fifth in the second semifinal in 2:02.08, as world 800m silver medalist Georgia Hunter-Bell won the race in 1:59.88 ahead of Sarah Billings (2:00.05) and Botswana’s Oratile Nowe (2:00.60).