Beatrice Chebet became the first woman to break the 14-minute barrier in a 5000-metre track race, clocking 13:58.06 at the 2025 Prefontaine Classic. This performance followed an intensive period of dominance in long-distance running, during which she secured multiple world records and international gold medals across the 5000-metre and 10,000-metre distances.
Early Development and Junior Success
Born in Kericho, Kenya, in 2000, Chebet began competing in 5000-metre events during her primary school years. She attended Saramek Secondary School in Londiani, graduating in 2013, and joined the Lemotit Athletics Club in November 2016. In 2018, she secured the Kenyan Under-20s title in the 5000 metres and later that year won the 5000-metre title at the World U20 Championships in Tampere. She added a junior world title in cross country in 2019 after a photo-finish review awarded her gold.
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Chebet’s transition to the senior level included a silver medal in the 5000 metres at the 2022 World Championships in Eugene, Oregon. She also achieved victories at the 2022 Commonwealth Games and the 2022 African Championships. Her endurance prowess was further demonstrated by winning senior World Cross Country titles in 2023 and 2024. By the end of 2023, she set a women’s-only road 5-kilometre world record of 14:13 in Barcelona.
World Records and Olympic Gold
In May 2024, Chebet became the first woman to finish a 10,000-metre race in under 29 minutes, recording 28:54.14 at the Prefontaine Classic. At the 2024 Summer Olympics, she won gold medals in both the 5000 metres and 10,000 metres. Later that year, she improved her 5-kilometre road world record to 13:54 at the Cursa dels Nassos, becoming the first woman to break the 14-minute barrier on any surface.
Recent Athletic Milestones
During 2025, Chebet continued to lower personal and global benchmarks. In May, she ran the 3000 metres in 8:11.56 in Rabat. Her track dominance peaked in July 2025 when she reclaimed the 5000-metre world record. Outside of her racing achievements, she was honored with the Golden Plate Award of the American Academy of Achievement in 2024.
Fast facts
- Born: 5 March 2000, Kericho, Kenya
- 10,000m World Record: 28:54.14
- 5000m World Record: 13:58.06
- 2024 Olympic Gold: 5000m and 10,000m
- Junior Club: Lemotit Athletics Club
- Secondary School: Saramek Secondary School
Questions readers ask
What is Beatrice Chebet's fastest 5000-metre time?
Her world record time is 13:58.06, set on 5 July 2025.
Did Beatrice Chebet win Olympic medals?
Yes, she won gold in both the 5000 metres and the 10,000 metres at the 2024 Summer Olympics.
Achievements
- Competed at 2022 World Athletics Championships – Women's 5000 metres, 2023 World Athletics Championships – women's 5000 metres and 2023 Diamond League
- Discipline: athletics
