Faith Cherotich Sets New Personal Best in 3000m Steeplechase at Prefontaine Classic 2025

Kenya’s Olympic bronze medalist, Faith Cherotich, delivered a strong performance at the Prefontaine Classic 2025, finishing second in the women’s 3000m steeplechase on Saturday night in Eugene, Oregon.

Competing against a star-studded field at the Wanda Diamond League event, Cherotich clocked an impressive 8:48.71, narrowly missing the podium’s top spot but setting a new personal best and strengthening her status as a future world champion in the making.

Race Recap – Women’s 3000m Steeplechase

The event was headlined by Winfred Yavi of Bahrain, the reigning world and Olympic champion, who surged in the final lap to win the race in a meeting record time of 8:45.25, the third-fastest steeplechase time in history.

Faith Cherotich ran a confident race, staying in close contact with the leaders and delivering a powerful finishing kick to edge past Uganda’s Peruth Chemutai and claim second place.

Final Results – Women’s 3000m Steeplechase (Eugene 2025)

• 🥇 Winfred Yavi (BRN) – 8:45.25 (Meeting Record)

• 🥈 Faith Cherotich (KEN) – 8:48.71 (Personal Best)

• 🥉 Peruth Chemutai (UGA) – 8:51.77

What This Means for Faith Cherotich

This performance is more than just a podium finish — it’s a statement of intent from Faith Cherotich. At only 20 years old, she has already proven she can compete with and challenge the best in the world.

Her time of 8:48.71 is not only a lifetime best but also ranks among the top five steeplechase times in history. It confirms her transformation from a promising junior to a serious gold medal contender at the upcoming World Athletics Championships in Paris 2025.

Her second-place finish in such an elite field demonstrates she’s not just consistent — she’s closing the gap to the world’s very best. If she maintains this form, a world title could be within reach.

👏 Kenya’s Stellar Night at Prefontaine Classic

Faith Cherotich’s silver-worthy run came amid a wave of Kenyan brilliance at the 2025 Prefontaine Classic, including:

• Beatrice Chebet’s world record in the 5000m (13:58.06)

• Faith Kipyegon’s new 1500m world record (3:48.68)

• Agnes Jebet Ngetich’s 14:01.29 – the third-fastest 5000m time ever

  Final Thoughts

  With her second-place finish and personal best time, Faith Cherotich has sent a powerful message ahead of the 2025 World Championships — she is no longer just a contender, she is a front-runner for the global steeplechase title.

  As Kenya continues to dominate the global athletics stage, Faith Cherotich’s rise is proof that the future of Kenyan distance running is in safe hands.