Kenya’s track queen Beatrice Chebet has announced she will take a maternity break throughout the 2026 season following a remarkable 2024–2025 run.
The Kenyan distance-running superstar confirmed that she will step away from competition next year as she prepares to welcome her first child, describing the decision as part of a carefully considered personal plan.
Chebet shared the news via her agent and on social media, calling motherhood the biggest challenge she has taken on so far.
“Starting a family is the most important race of my life,” she wrote.
The double Olympic champion and world record holder in the 5,000m and 10,000m said she intends to return to elite competition in 2027, with her long-term focus firmly set on the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.
She added that balancing family life and her career was important to her, and that the timing of the break followed two highly successful years on the track.
Her absence will be keenly felt at the 2026 World Cross Country Championships in Tallahassee, Florida, scheduled for January 11.
Chebet had been widely tipped as a top contender despite skipping the Kenyan national trials.
At just 25, Chebet has already built an outstanding résumé, including back-to-back senior World Cross Country titles in Bathurst (2023) and Belgrade (2024), as well as a U20 world title in Aarhus in 2019.
The announcement sparked an outpouring of congratulations across social media, with fans and athletes alike pointing to inspirational comebacks by elite runners such as Faith Kipyegon following maternity leave.
One user, appalachian_hatachi, wrote, “Oh wow! Congratulations to her! Perfect timing given no global championships this year and also gives her more than enough time to be ready for LA28.”
Another, oenigsegg806, added, “Congratulations to her! Remember how Faith Kipyegon came back after her maternity break.”
With Chebet sidelined, Athletics Kenya has named its squads for the Tallahassee championships.
Chebet has stressed that the break is temporary and remains confident about returning to peak form, with likely targets including the World Championships in Beijing in 2027 and the Los Angeles Olympics a year later.
Kenya will field strong squads for the 2026 World Cross Country Championships, with the senior women’s team comprising Caren Chebet, Maurine Chebor, Joyline Chepkemoi, Brenda Jepchumba Kenei, Rebecca Mwangi and Agnes Ngetich.
The Under-20 women’s team includes Mercy Jelimo, Miriam Chemutai Kibet, Cynthia Chepkirui, Caren Chepngeno, Mercy Chepngeno and Lonah Cherono.