Season on the Rise
Fresh off a statement-making season opener, Mercy Chebet has her sights set on a return to Kenya’s relay line-up as the 2026 campaign gathers pace. The 24-year-old 2024 national 400m champion announced her intentions with a powerful run at the second Athletics Kenya Weekend Meeting in Thika, sending a clear message to rivals that she intends to be part of Team Kenya’s World Relays squad.
Calendar of Stakes
The early-season calendar leaves little room for easing in. The World Relays take place May 2–3 in Gaborone, Botswana, and barely a week later the spotlight shifts to Accra for the African Championships at the University of Ghana Sports Stadium from May 12–17. For athletes like Chebet, those back-to-back targets demand both speed and strategic selection.
A Statement Run
At Thika Stadium Chebet powered to victory in the women’s 400m, stopping the clock at 53.8 seconds. Hellen Syombua followed in 54.5, with Purity Chepkoech third in 54.8. “We have the World Relays coming up, and my target is to push myself to ensure I make the team,” Chebet said, her tone equal parts determination and promise.
Relay Pedigree
Chebet is no stranger to the baton. She was part of Kenya’s mixed 4x400m quartet that claimed bronze at the World Relays in Guangzhou, clocking 3:13.10 alongside David Sanayek, Brian Tinega and Mercy Oketch. That performance placed Kenya behind the United States and Australia and cemented Chebet’s reputation as a reliable relay runner on the global stage.
Olympic and Continental Experience
The Paris 2024 Olympics marked Chebet’s debut on sport’s biggest stage, where she featured in the mixed 4x400m relay. Teaming with Sanayek, Veronica Mutua and Boniface Mweresa, the quartet ran 3:13.13, narrowly missing out on a place in the final. Later at the African Championships, Chebet again lined up in the mixed relay; Kenya finished fourth in 3:16.59, just off the podium as South Africa, Nigeria and Botswana took the medals.
Individual Ambition
Relay success is only part of Chebet’s blueprint. She remains intent on making waves in the individual 400m and has the African Championships firmly in her crosshairs. Her 2024 campaign at the continental meet ended in frustration after a DNS in the semi-finals, despite winning her heat in 52.45. That unfinished business has become fuel for her 2026 ambitions.
Sharpening the Edge
Chebet says the work now is surgical: keep the endurance, sharpen the speed. “Right now I have the endurance; I only need to sharpen my speed,” she explained. With the World Relays and African Championships looming, that blend of stamina and sprint polish could be the difference between selection and sitting on the sidelines.
What to Watch
As Kenya finalizes relay selections and athletes chase qualifying marks, Chebet’s early-season form makes her one to watch. If she maintains the momentum from Thika, the young champion could be a decisive piece in Kenya’s bid for relay glory and a contender for individual honours on the continental stage.
