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| Gladys Cherono | |
|---|---|
| Name | Gladys Cherono |
| Birth date | 1983-07-21 |
| Birth place | Kericho, Kenya |
| Nationality | Kenyan |
| Sport | Long-distance running |
| Event | 3000 metres steeplechase, 5000 metres, 10,000 metres, Half marathon, Marathon |
| Pb | 5000 m: 14:29.52; 10,000 m: 30:51.53; Half marathon: 1:06:25; Marathon: 2:22:34 |
Gladys Cherono Gladys Cherono is a Kenyan long-distance runner known for world-class performances on track and road, including victories at major marathons and elite half marathons. She has represented Kenya at global competitions such as the World Championships, the Olympic Games, and the IAAF World Half Marathon Championships, and has set competitive personal bests that rank among the best for Kenyan women. Cherono transitioned from track events like the 3000 metres steeplechase and 5000 metres to road racing, claiming titles at events including the Berlin Marathon and major half marathon circuits.
Cherono was born in Kericho County near Nandi Hills in the Rift Valley, an area noted for producing distance runners such as Eliud Kipchoge, Wilson Kipsang, David Rudisha, and Paul Tergat. Raised in a family from the Kipsigis community, she trained on high-altitude roads near Eldoret and the Chepkoilel Stadium, environments shared by athletes like Mary Keitany, Catherine Ndereba, Vivian Cheruiyot, and Lornah Kiplagat. Early exposure to regional competitions in the Kenyan Athletics Championships and school meets brought her into contact with coaches and scouts linked to institutions such as the Kenyan Police athletics teams and the Kenya Defence Forces running programs.
As a junior Cherono competed in national youth events alongside contemporaries like Grace Momanyi and Sylvia Kibet, appearing at provincial meets and the Kenya Prisons Championships. She progressed through national championships that featured athletes such as Janeth Jepkosgei, Sally Barsosio, and Martha Komu. Her domestic performances led to selections for regional competitions, where she raced against East African rivals from Ethiopia and Uganda including Tirunesh Dibaba, Meseret Defar, and Priscah Jeptoo. Participation in events organized by bodies such as the Athletics Kenya federation and competitions sponsored by Nike and Adidas aided her transition to senior ranks.
Cherono's rise included appearances on the IAAF circuit in meets like the DN Galan, Prefontaine Classic, Golden Gala, Aviva London Grand Prix, and the Memorial Van Damme. She posted times that drew attention at the IAAF Diamond League meetings, matching up with athletes such as Sifan Hassan, Hellen Obiri, Viviane Jepkemoi, and Elvan Abeylegesse. Invitations to European road races like the Great North Run, Ras al Khaimah Half Marathon, Paris Half Marathon, and the Lisbon Half Marathon placed her alongside competitors including Lornah Kiplagat, Florence Kiplagat, Mary Keitany, and Supanida Katethong. Selections for the World Championships in Athletics and the Olympic Games came as a result of national trials and strong Diamond League placings.
Cherono won titles and set personal bests at prestigious competitions including the IAAF World Half Marathon Championships, where Kenya has a storied history with athletes like Rita Jeptoo and Edna Kiplagat. She claimed victory at the Berlin Marathon and podium finishes at the New York City Marathon, Chicago Marathon, and other World Marathon Majors contested by runners such as Paula Radcliffe, Tegla Loroupe, Grete Waitz, and Brigid Kosgei. On the track she recorded competitive times at the World Championships meeting and national trials that put her among Kenyan specialists like Vivian Cheruiyot and Florence Kiplagat. Her half marathon best ranks near times posted by Ababel Yeshaneh and Joyciline Jepkosgei in high-profile road races such as the Utrecht Singelloop and Copenhagen Half Marathon.
Cherono is known for a front-running yet tactical style employed in races with athletes like Almaz Ayana, Sifan Hassan, Moses Kiptanui, and Haile Gebrselassie setting tempo in other eras. Training typically took place in high-altitude camps around Iten and Kapsabet, following methodologies used by groups affiliated with coaches who have shepherded talents like Patrick Sang, Brother Colm O'Connell, Gerrit Keil, and Nikolai Sidorov. Her regimen balanced long runs, interval sessions on tracks such as Nyayo Stadium and Kasarani Stadium, and road-specific workouts for races like the Great Birmingham Run and the Barcelona Half Marathon. Nutrition and recovery practices mirrored programs used by elite athletes supported by organizations including World Athletics, International Olympic Committee, and national Olympic committees.
Off the course Cherono has connections with Kenyan athletics figures and institutions such as Athletics Kenya, former champions like Catherine Ndereba and Lornah Kiplagat, and community initiatives in Kericho and Eldoret. Her successes contributed to Kenya's prominence in events parallel to the legacies of Paula Radcliffe, Tirunesh Dibaba, and Zola Budd in international distance running. Cherono's career influenced emerging athletes from the Rift Valley training groups and camps similar to those that produced Asbel Kiprop, Felix Kipchirchir, and Edwin Soi. She remains part of the narrative of Kenyan endurance running celebrated at venues such as the World Athletics Championships, Olympic marathons, and major city road races.
Category:Kenyan female long-distance runners Category:1983 births Category:Living people