Mercy Cherono: I’ll run to seek God’s mercy in whichever place

Kenya’s running sensation Mercy Cherono with her husband Edmond and daughter Cherop. [Nikko Tanui, Standard]

In 2014, a Kenyan beauty caught the attention of the world’s sporting enthusiasts. 

Her hairdo -- cornrows in the colours of the Kenyan flag -- spoke of her patriotism as she took her place on the starting line in the Commonwealth Games 5,000m finals start line inside Hampden Park in Glasgow, Scotland.

The Kenyan press described her as the country’s “hottest” athlete. Beauty meets speed and endurance.

CROWNING MOMENT

That night, World silver medalist Mercy Cherono proved her potential against her competitors who were drawn from the 71 English-speaking countries and territories. She crossed the line to win the race.

A lot has happened since her crowning moment that night in Hampden Park. Some good, others not so good, at least in the eyes of an adoring public.

One moment, in particular, has stuck to her like glue. Many remember her visit in 2017 to the church of renowned Nigerian televangelist TB Joshua on an alleged exorcism mission.

“Cherono seeks God’s Mercy from Nigerian priest”, read a headline in one of the dailies.

Sunday Standard caught up with her at Saptet area in the outskirts of Kericho town. Ever the athlete, we find her preparing her training gear. The walls of her living room look like a sports club's exhibition hall. Trophies and medals hanging on every available space.

Two medals date back to 2009. There are plenty more representing every year after that. Except for 2017.

This is the year the running beauty took a break from competition to concentrate on raising a family with her husband Edmond Ng’etich.

It is also the year she made her now infamous trip to Nigeria where she sought audience with TB Joshua. She has no regrets for travelling thousands of miles to seek God’s favour, she says.

“One has to seek God first and everything else will follow. The much talked about Nigerian trip was not even my first there. I don’t regret it and plan to visit the church again,” she says. 

That’s all she has to say about that matter. She would rather talk about her life and comeback to the track, she says. 

The petite Cherono says she is still a proud daddy’s girl. It is her father who mentored her. 

“My dad has been on my side since my childhood. He guided me very well in my athletic career. I still seek his guidance to date," she says. 

The greatest lesson she took from her upbringing, she says, is that parents should support their children’s dreams.

“That is why I will support anything my daughter Cherop aspires to be. I will not force her to do anything her mind and heart are not in to,” she says. 

Athletics does not pre-occupy her mind as it used to a few years ago. Her attention is split three ways between her career, her daughter -- whom she bore in 2018 -- and her husband.

“I was scared by the talk that babies cry all night. But Cherop is a calm baby, I haven’t had any trouble with hersince her birth,” she said.

Cherono considers babies to be a blessing from God. She wants to have more in future. But for now, her maternity leave is over and her eyes are now fixed on the athletic track. 

“I have been practicing hard and I believe that once I start competing again and with the help of God, I will be better than ever. Exercise and God go together,” she says. 

BIG RETURN

She has since shed off 20kg since giving birth to a rigorous training regime, she says. She now weighs 52kg and believes she is in better shape and frame of mind than ever before. 

Her return to the track was inspired by fellow athletes like Helen Obiri. “They are the ones I consult on motherhood and athletics,” Cherono says. 

The 5000m queen appreciates that a time will come when she will have to bow out of athletics. But it does nor worry her. She has invested her earnings in real estate, she says. “One has to make investments early."

For now, she is looking ahead to her long-awaited comeback.

“If all things go to plan I will make my international race comeback appearance at Doha World Championship,” she says.