Mercy Cherono Warning: You are not logged in. Your IP address will be publicly visible if you make any edits. If you log in or create an account, your edits will be attributed to your username, along with other benefits.Anti-spam check. Do not fill this in! ==Career== Cherono made her first international appearance at the [[2007 IAAF World Cross Country Championships]] in [[Mombasa]] and she finished 23rd in the junior race.<ref>{{cite web|access-date=20 July 2010 |year=2007 |url=http://www.iaaf.org/history/WXC/season=2007/eventCode=3651/results/sex=W/discCode=XJ/combCode=hash/roundCode=f/results.html#det |title=2007 XC Championships Junior Race – W Final |publisher=[[International Association of Athletics Federations|IAAF]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110203222412/http://www.iaaf.org/history/WXC/season%3D2007/eventCode%3D3651/results/sex%3DW/discCode%3DXJ/combCode%3Dhash/roundCode%3Df/results.html |archive-date=3 February 2011 |url-status=dead }}</ref> She reached her first international podium at the [[2007 World Youth Championships in Athletics|2007 World Youth Championships]] as she ran a championship record time of 8:53.94 to win the [[gold medal]] in the [[3000 metres]].<ref>{{cite news|last=Foster|first=Anthony|date=11 July 2007|url=http://www.iaaf.org/news/news/cherono-proves-too-strong-for-ethiopian-duo|title=Cherono proves too strong for Ethiopian trio|publisher=IAAF|access-date=5 May 2016}}</ref> She had a successful [[cross country running|cross county]] season at the end of the year, taking 6 km junior race victories in three of the [[Athletics Kenya]] meetings.<ref>{{cite news|last=Okoth|first=Omulo|date=3 November 2007|url=http://www.iaaf.org/news/news/kenyan-cross-country-season-opens|title=Kenyan cross country season opens|publisher=IAAF |access-date=5 May 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last=Okoth|first=Omulo|date=10 November 2007|url=http://www.iaaf.org/news/news/cherono-takes-second-victory-ak-cross-count|title=Cherono takes second victory – AK Cross Country, 2nd Meeting|publisher=IAAF|access-date=5 May 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last=Macharia |first=David |date=2 December 2007 |url=http://www.iaaf.org/WXC08/news/kind=100/newsid=42574.html |title=Kipsang, Chemwono cruise to victory in Eldoret |publisher=IAAF |access-date=20 July 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110605034512/http://www.iaaf.org/WXC08/news/kind%3D100/newsid%3D42574.html |archive-date=5 June 2011 |url-status=dead }}</ref> She had back-to-back wins in the junior race at the [[Tuskys Wareng Cross Country]] in 2007 and 2008. She did not receive selection for the [[2008 IAAF World Cross Country Championships|2008 World Cross Country Championships]], but instead focused on track running. First she added a junior title to her youth 3000 m win, beating [[Bizunesh Urgesa]] in a time of 8:58.07 to win the gold at the [[2008 World Junior Championships in Athletics|2008 World Junior Championships]] in [[Bydgoszcz]],<ref>{{cite news|last=Foster |first=Anthony |date=12 July 2008 |url=http://www.iaaf.org/WJC08/news/kind=108/newsid=46042.html |title=2008 WJC Women's 3000m |publisher=[[International Association of Athletics Federations|IAAF]] |access-date=20 July 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121025204800/http://www.iaaf.org/WJC08/news/kind%3D108/newsid%3D46042.html |archive-date=25 October 2012 |url-status=dead }}</ref> and then she won the gold at the [[2008 Commonwealth Youth Games]], running largely uncontested to set a Games record time.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.iaaf.org/news/news/abepitiyage-thompson-complete-sprint-doubles|title=Abepitiyage, Thompson complete sprint doubles; Cherono a class act – Commonwealth Youth Games – Day Three|publisher=IAAF|date=17 October 2008|access-date=5 May 2016}}</ref> Her place on the Kenyan world cross country team looked uncertain in 2009 as head coach Julius Kirwa dismissed her chances, saying she had run too many races that season. Cherono replied by taking the lead immediately at the Kenyan Trials and winning the junior race by a margin of thirteen seconds.<ref>{{cite news|last=Makori|first=Elias|date=21 February 2009|url=http://www.iaaf.org/news/news/veterans-mosop-and-kiplagat-prevail-in-nairob|title=Veterans Mosop and Kiplagat prevail in Nairobi – Kenyan World XC Champs Trials|publisher=[[International Association of Athletics Federations|IAAF]]|access-date=5 May 2016}}</ref> At the [[2009 IAAF World Cross Country Championships|2009 World Cross Country Championships]] in [[Amman]], Cherono engaged in a race-long duel with [[Genzebe Dibaba]] in the junior race. Cherono took the lead in the final stages but a difficult stretch with a 40-metre climb enabled Dibaba to overtake her and Cherono ended up with the [[silver medal]].<ref>{{cite news|last=Johnson|first=Len|date=28 March 2009|access-date=5 May 2016|url=http://www.iaaf.org/news/report/junior-mens-race-report-amman-2009|title=Junior Women's Race Report – Amman 2009|publisher=IAAF}}</ref> At the [[2009 African Junior Athletics Championships]], Cherono eased to the 3000 m title by some 13 seconds but found herself beaten again by Genzebe Dibaba in 5000 m race, finishing with the silver medal.<ref>{{cite news|last=Ouma|first=Mark |date=30 July 2009|url=http://www.iaaf.org/news/news/ndiku-and-cherono-prevail-african-junior-ch|title=Ndiku and Cherono prevail – African junior champs, Day 1|publisher=IAAF|access-date=5 May 2016}}</ref> She competed on the senior track circuit that year and was third at the [[Rieti IAAF Grand Prix]], recording a personal best of 8:44.67 for the 3000 m.<ref>{{cite news|last=Sampaolo|first=Diego|date=6 September 2009|url= http://www.iaaf.org/news/news/rudisha-14201-african-800m-record-in-rieti-|title=Rudisha 1:42.01 African 800m record in Rieti – IAAF World Athletics Tour|publisher=IAAF|access-date=5 May 2016}}</ref> She took third for a second time at the [[Memorial van Damme]] in September, recording personal bests in the [[1500 metres]] and [[2000 metres]] and beaten only by reigning world champions [[Gelete Burka]] and [[Vivian Cheruiyot]].<ref>{{cite news|last=Turner|first=Chris|date=4 September 2009|url=http://www.iaaf.org/news/report/trio-triumphs-bolt-dazzles-in-the-damp-af-g|title=Trio triumphs; Bolt dazzles in the damp – ÅF Golden League bows out – REPORT|publisher=IAAF|access-date=5 May 2016}}</ref> She won a junior cross country race on home turf in Kericho in late 2009,<ref>{{cite news|last=Makori|first=Elias|date=22 November 2009|url=http://www.iaaf.org/news/news/home-girl-cherono-does-hosts-proud-as-jelimo|title=Home girl Cherono does hosts proud as Jelimo launches comeback – AK Weekend cross country meeting #2|publisher=[[International Association of Athletics Federations|IAAF]]|access-date=5 May 2016}}</ref> but failed to reach the top three at the 2010 Kenyan Trials. Her fourth-place finish was enough to gain a place on the team for the [[2010 IAAF World Cross Country Championships|2010 World Cross Country Championships]].<ref>{{cite news|last=Makori|first=Elias|date=20 February 2010|url=http://www.iaaf.org/news/news/tanui-emerges-while-masai-pounces-as-kenya-se|title=Tanui emerges while Masai pounces as Kenya selects squad for Bydgoszcz|publisher=IAAF|access-date=5 May 2016}}</ref> Cherono rose to the occasion at the World Championships in Bydgoszcz, the same location as her 2008 World Junior win. She led with her Kenyan teammates for much of the race and she won by a margin of seven seconds, leading home a 1–2–3–4 victory for the Kenyan team. Despite the significant winning margin, she did not need to push herself to the victory, later saying: "In the second lap, I had a lot left".<ref>{{cite news|last=Johnson|first=Len|date=28 March 2010|url=http://www.iaaf.org/news/report/cherono-sets-the-record-straight-womens-jun|title=Cherono sets the record straight – Women's Junior race report – Bydgoszcz 2010|publisher=IAAF|access-date=5 May 2016}}</ref> She made her first outing on the [[IAAF Diamond League]] circuit in May, running a personal best of 14:47.13 for seventh in the [[5000 metres]] at the [[Shanghai Golden Grand Prix]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.diamondleague-shanghai.com/Live-StartlistsResults/Overview/5000m-Women/ |title=Shanghai Meeting Results 5000m Women |publisher=[[IAAF Diamond League]] |access-date=20 July 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100527103138/http://www.diamondleague-shanghai.com/Live-StartlistsResults/Overview/5000m-Women/ |archive-date=27 May 2010 |url-status=dead }}</ref> At the [[2010 World Junior Championships in Athletics]], Cherono became the first woman to retain the 3000 m junior title as she held off a challenge from [[Emebet Anteneh]] to become the first gold medallist of the event.<ref>{{cite news|last=Martin |first=David |date=19 July 2010 |url=http://www.iaaf.org/WJC10/news/kind=100/newsid=57463.html |title=World Junior Championships open in Moncton as Mercy Cherono defends 3000m title |publisher=IAAF |access-date=20 July 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100722095514/http://www.iaaf.org/WJC10/news/kind%3D100/newsid%3D57463.html |archive-date=22 July 2010 |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last=Morse |first=Parker |date=20 July 2010 |url=http://www.iaaf.org/WJC10/news/kind=108/newsid=57462.html |title=2010 World Junior Championships – Women's 3000m Final |publisher=IAAF |access-date=20 July 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100723002540/http://www.iaaf.org/WJC10/news/kind%3D108/newsid%3D57462.html |archive-date=23 July 2010 |url-status=dead }}</ref> She also won a silver medal in the 5000 m, finishing behind [[Genzebe Dibaba]]. Taking to the senior circuit, she ran at the [[Rieti IAAF Grand Prix]] in August and took second in the 3000 m behind [[Sylvia Kibet]], setting a new lifetime best of 8:42.09.<ref>{{cite news|last=Sampaolo|first=Diego|date=29 August 2010|url=http://www.iaaf.org/news/news/rudisha-lowers-800m-world-record-again-14101|title=Rudisha lowers 800m World record again, 1:41.01; Carter dashes 9.78sec in Rieti – IAAF World Challenge|publisher=[[International Association of Athletics Federations|IAAF]]|access-date=5 May 2016}}</ref> She turned her focus to senior cross country and won at the AK meet in [[Kericho]] in November, while her sister [[Caroline Chepkoech]] went on to win the junior race.<ref>{{cite news|last=Mutuota|first=Mutwiri|date=14 November 2010|url=http://www.iaaf.org/news/news/sisters-cherono-and-chepkoech-triumph-in-keri|title=Sisters Cherono and Chepkoech triumph in Kericho – AK weekend series, meeting 2|publisher=IAAF|access-date=5 May 2016}}</ref> She was chosen as the most promising sportswoman at Kenya's annual [[SOYA Awards]]. In January 2011 she ran at the [[Discovery Kenya Cross Country]] meet in [[Eldoret]], but misjudged her run and slipped into fourth place near the end.<ref>{{cite news|last=Macharia|first=David |date=24 January 2011|url=http://www.iaaf.org/news/news/jepleting-and-kipsang-take-discovery-kenya-xc|title=Jepleting and Kipsang take Discovery Kenya XC titles in Eldoret|publisher=IAAF|access-date=5 May 2016}}</ref> Cherono came thirteenth in the national senior cross country race in February 2011.<ref>{{cite news|last=Mutuota|first=Mutwiri|date=19 February 2011|url=http://www.iaaf.org/news/news/mutai-and-masai-take-hard-fought-wins-in-nair|title=Mutai and Masai take hard fought wins in Nairobi; reigning World champs Ebuya and Chebet won't defend|publisher=[[International Association of Athletics Federations|IAAF]]|access-date=5 May 2016}}</ref> Although she missed out on a place for the world team, she headed to the newly created [[2011 African Cross Country Championships]] and won the gold in a medal sweep alongside [[Viola Kibiwot]] and [[Doris Changeywo]].<ref>{{cite news|last=Okoth|first=Omulo|date=7 March 2011|url=http://www.iaaf.org/news/news/cherono-and-mwangangi-victorious-at-inaugural|title=Cherono and Mwangangi victorious at inaugural Africa Cross Championships|publisher=IAAF|access-date=5 May 2016}}</ref> Her cross country season ended with a top three finish at the [[Trofeo Alasport]].<ref>{{cite news|last=Sampaolo|first=Diego|date=28 March 2011|url= http://www.iaaf.org/news/report/another-cross-country-win-for-world-champion|title=Another cross country win for World champion Merga – Alà dei Sardi report|publisher=IAAF|access-date=5 May 2016}}</ref> On the [[2011 Diamond League]] circuit she placed in the top three of the 5000 m at the [[Prefontaine Classic]] and the [[Meeting Areva]]. She was chosen for the Kenyan senior track team for the first time and came fifth over 5000 m at the [[2011 World Championships in Athletics]].<ref>{{cite web|title=2011 World Championships – Women's 5000 metres final |publisher=IAAF |access-date=6 January 2012 |url=http://daegu2011.iaaf.org/ResultsByEvent.aspx?/disctype=4/sex=W/discCode=5000/combCode=hash/roundCode=f/results.html#detW_5000_hash_f |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120616061812/http://daegu2011.iaaf.org/ResultsByEvent.aspx?%2Fdisctype=4%2Fsex%3DW%2FdiscCode%3D5000%2FcombCode%3Dhash%2FroundCode%3Df%2Fresults.html |archive-date=16 June 2012 |url-status=dead }}</ref> She began 2012 win with a sizeable win at the [[Campaccio]] cross country.<ref>{{cite news|last=Sampaolo|first=Diego|date=6 January 2012|url=http://www.iaaf.org/news/news/soi-defends-in-a-thriller-cherono-dominates-a|title=Soi defends in a thriller, Cherono dominates at Campaccio XC|publisher=IAAF|access-date=5 May 2016}}</ref> She missed her chance to run at the [[2012 Summer Olympics]] but was dominant on the track circuit that year: she won the [[Herculis]], [[Athletissima]] and [[British Grand Prix (athletics)|British Grand Prix]] [[2012 IAAF Diamond League]] meets and was runner-up at the [[London Grand Prix]], [[Weltklasse Zurich]] and [[Memorial van Damme]]. A 3000 m personal best of 8:38.51 minutes came at the Herculis meet. After the track season she won the [[Cross Internacional de Venta de Baños]] and the [[Cross de Itálica]].<ref>{{cite news|last=Valiente|first=Emeterio|date=16 December 2012|url=http://www.iaaf.org/news/report/chepkok-and-cherono-take-the-honours-at-venta|title=Chepkok and Cherono take the honours at Venta de Banos|publisher=IAAF|access-date=14 February 2013}}</ref> Cherono won the national trials for the 5000 m and went on to claim the silver medal in the event at the [[2013 World Championships in Athletics]] behind [[Meseret Defar]].<ref>{{cite news|last=Johnson|first= Len|date=17 August 2013|url=http://www.iaaf.org/news/report/55|title=Report: Women's 5000m final – Moscow 2013|publisher=IAAF|access-date=22 February 2014}}</ref> On the [[2013 IAAF Diamond League]] circuit she was runner-up in the 1500 m at the [[Memorial Van Damme]], runner-up in the 3000 m at the [[DN Galan]], and placed in the top three of the 5000 m a both the [[Prefontaine Classic]] and the [[Weltklasse Zürich]].<ref>[http://www.tilastopaja.org/db/atw.php?ID=50818&Season=2013&Odd=0 Mercy Cherono]. Tilastopaja. Retrieved 22 February 2014.</ref> She returned to the Cross de Venta de Baños and won for a consecutive season.<ref>{{cite news|last=Mills|first=Steven|date=16 December 2013|url=http://www.iaaf.org/news/report/cross-country-venta-de-banos-mercy-cherono|title=Cherono bounces back at Venta de Banos – cross-country round-up|publisher=IAAF|access-date=22 February 2014}}</ref> On 19 August, 2016, Cherono came in 4th place in the 5000m event at the [[Rio Olympics]] in 14:42.89 out of a field of 17 runners<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.rio2016.com/en/athletics-womens-5000m-final|title=Rio 2016 5000m women - Olympic Athletics|date=2017-06-03|work=International Olympic Committee|access-date=2018-05-03|language=en|archive-date=26 August 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160826191423/https://www.rio2016.com/en/athletics-womens-5000m-final|url-status=dead}}</ref> Summary: Please note that all contributions to Christianpedia may be edited, altered, or removed by other contributors. 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