Chekwel, Chemutai step onto marathon stage for their shift

Peruth Chemutai’s 3000m steeplechase Olympic gold on Wednesday at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics could go a long way in impacting sports women in Uganda.

The ripple effect may also be felt immediately. Chemutai’s feat will be a big inspiration to Juliet Chekwel and Immaculate Chemutai when the pair lines-up for the women’s marathon final in Sapporo in the early hours of tomorrow.
This is the first time in history that the East African nation has presented more than one female for the 42km road race at the Olympics.
Jane Suuto debuted at the London 2012 Games and finished a distant 93rd while Adero Nyakisi bettered to finish 68th at the Rio 2016 Games.

Now Chekwel, who qualified for Tokyo by rewriting the national record to 2:23:13 while winning the 2020 Zurich Maratón de Sevilla in Spain, is optimistic. “Yes! I am going to try my best,” she said early this week. Chekwel featured at the Rio 2016 Games over the 5000m and 10000m but after, she chose to end enduring years of mediocrity by slowly transitioning to road.

Winning history
Chekwel, now 31, mastered the art over the 21km distance, winning six out of nine half-marathons since 2017 including the 2018 Commonwealth Half-Marathon title in Cardiff, Wales.
However, she faces tough conditions to even beat the 12th place that pundits have predicted for her. “It’s really hot. Playing with in 25-34 degrees Celsius,” she added.
But she will have company of the more experienced Immaculate Chemutai who will have her first appearance for Uganda at the age of 33.

Owing to her long stay abroad, she won 14 out of 34 marathon races over the last decade and the Vitafit Running athlete is looking to give her best shot.
“Running at the Olympics with the world’s best is a great experience,” stated Chemutai who boasts of a personal best of 2.29:09.
 
“The weather is humid (in Tokyo) and it’s not good for running. I will run my race and accept whatever will come out, but will put all my efforts in the race.”
The Ugandans are not favourites for the gold but in the 88-man field, Kenyan trio of world record holder Brigid Kosgei, world champions Ruth Chepngetich and two-time world half marathon champion Peres Jepchirchir are fancied for gold.