Kenya is closing the gap in the women’s steeplechase. “I believe we are getting there. Obviously it will be difficult to beat the Russians, but we are coming nearer already,” said Eunice Jepkorir after taking the bronze medal in the 3,000-meter steeplechase in 9:20.09 minutes behind Russians Yekaterina Volkova (9:06.57) and Tatyana Petrova (9:09.19). The 25-year-old Kenyan battled with the Russians for much of the race, but then dropped back with about 600 meters to go.
Jepkorir’s optimism concerning the future battle between Russia and Kenya in a discipline that has been dominated by Kenyans (or athletes originating from Kenya) in the men’s event for many years also comes because of the fourth-place finisher in the Osaka final: 19-year-old Ruth Bisibori Nyangau broke the world junior record by more than 5 seconds, clocking 9:25.25.
When the women’s steeple was first held at a major championship two years ago in Helsinki, Kenya also won a bronze medal (Jeruto Kiptum) and took fifth place (Salome Chepchumba), but in the meantime they have clearly improved. “We are getting stronger, and my friend Ruth has run a great race as well,” said Jepkorir. “But there are many more women steeple talents in Kenya. I would say that a group of ten have the ability to come through on the international stage in the near future.”
Asked about a time goal for the future, Jepkorir said: “I am not thinking much about times. For me it is about winning. I hope to further improve. And next year in Beijing it is my goal to win the Olympics.”
Raised in Eldama-Ravine, which is near Eldoret, Jepkorir has four sisters and four brothers. “I am the fourth oldest, and my parents are farmers,” she said. “I ran to school when I was a child, but it was not far,” added Jepkorir, who this year has run 9:14.52, which is an African and Commonwealth record. She improved the African mark of the 2005 world champion, Dorcus Inzikuru of Uganda, despite a hurdling technique that has lots of room for improvement.
“When I was at high school I discovered my talent at the age of 15,” said Jepkoror. “I was then running cross country and started doing 5,000 and 10,000 meters. At the age of 17 I had a personal best at 10,000 meters of under 33 minutes.” After school she concentrated on running, and came to Europe for the first time in 2003. Her first manager was German-based Volker Wagner, so she ran a number of road races in Germany. She placed 7th in the World Cross Country Championships in 2004 and was 14th in the World Road Race Championships (20K) in 2006.
“But now I am concentrating on the steeple,” Jepkorir said. “The success of the Kenyan men in this event is a big motivation for me. And it is very important for the development of women’s steeplechasing in Kenya. I very much admire athletes like Moses Kiptanui and Ezekiel Kemboi.” Jepkorir coaches herself and has also changed her management situation. “Now my manager is David Kipelio.” This is unique since Kipelio is a Kenyan.
Refering to Nyangau, she said: “She has only come through this year and has already done great.” Having started running at the age of 15, the new world junior record holder took the African Games title running barefoot earlier in the season. “I had heard of Isabella Ochichi and Catherine Ndereba and wanted to be like them,” Nyangau said.
“It may well happen that Ruth will be stronger than me and beat me one day,” said Jepkorir. “But together we will be that much stronger and can then challenge the Russians.”
