Sheila Chepkirui is ready for her marathon debut

The Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games 10,000m silver medalist Sheila Chepkirui insists she is under no pressure ahead of making her marathon debut at the 42nd edition of the Valencia Marathon this Sunday.

Sheila Chepkirui said she was aware of the stiff competition ahead but insisted she was not worried. The women’s race has attracted some of the best athletes who will be aiming to improve their course record.

“I’m not afraid of competition. I’m making my debut and I don’t want to burden myself. My main goal is to cross the finish line”, said Sheila Chepkirui. She will be in the company of her compatriots Monicah Ngige and Fancy Chemutai.

The Kenyan trio must face stiff competition from Ethiopia’s Letesenbet Gidey, who is the world record holder in the 5,000m, 10,000m and half marathon.

Sheila Chepkirui is a Kenyan middle- and long-distance runner who competed earlier mainly in the 1,500m and 5,000m. She won the bronze medal in the 10,000m at the 2022 Commonwealth Games. Sheila Chepkirui was the 5,000m 2016 African champion, setting the championship record. As of September 2022, she placed fourth in the 10 km road race on the world all-time list.