Disappointed Beatrice Chepkoech wants to focus on her speed ahead Budapest Worlds

World 3000m steepelchase record holder (8:44.32) Beatrice Chepkoech says she will focus on speed training ahead of next month’s World Athletics Championships in Budapest, Hungary after finishing second behind compatriot, Jackline Chepkoech at the Diamond League meeting on Sunday in London.

Beatrice is yet to run inside nine minutes since she ran a personal season’s best of 8:55.58 in 2019, a year after setting the 8:44.32 World record in Monaco but ran her fastest time (9:04.34) over the distance on Sunday since 2019.

Beatrice expressed her disappointment in the post race interview thus: ‘It was a quick race. I enjoy racing in London, but I’m disappointed with my time. I’ll be at the Worlds in Budapest, I want to focus on my speed before then.’

Jackline was however delighted to run her first race inside nine minutes.

‘I really didn’t expect to today! Beating the meeting record feels incredible and such an achievement to finish it in under 9 minutes,’ she said.