Kenyan distance-running star Beatrice Chebet has announced that she is pregnant and will take the entire 2026 athletics season off, opting for a planned maternity break at the peak of her career.
Chebet, one of Kenya’s most successful track athletes of the past decade, confirmed the development through her management and in public remarks, saying she has chosen to step away from competition to focus on starting a family.
The decision means the 25-year-old will not feature in any major global or continental events scheduled for 2026.
“I have chased finish lines, medals, and dreams. Now I am chasing a love I haven’t met yet. Motherhood begins in 2026,” Chebet shared with her management, Rosa Associati Management.
Widely regarded as one of the most dominant women’s distance runners in the world, Chebet rose to global prominence after winning Olympic gold medals in the 5,000 metres and 10,000 metres at the2024 Paris Olympics, achievements that placed her among an elite group of athletes to complete the double at a single Games.
She has also claimed multiple World Championship titles and has set world records across the two distances, underlining her status as a generational talent.
Her absence in 2026 will be keenly felt on the international circuit, particularly as several global meets and championship build-ups fall within the year.
According to her management, the break has been carefully planned and does not signal retirement.
Instead, Chebet is expected to resume training and competition after the maternity period, with long-term targets already in view.
The next major milestones on her calendar include the 2027 World Athletics Championships in Beijing and the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles, where she is expected to defend her position among the world’s leading distance runners.
Chebet’s pregnancy has been met with widespread congratulatory messages from fans, fellow athletes and sports administrators, many praising her for prioritising family while maintaining a clear competitive roadmap.
Athletics Kenya officials have described her decision as personal and well-timed, noting that she has already achieved significant milestones early in her career.