Mercy Cherono
KENWomenMercy Cherono Koech (born 7 May 1991) is a Kenyan professional long-distance runner.
She was the silver medalist in the 5000 metres at the 2013 World Championships in Athletics.
She is a two-time world junior champion in the 3000 metres (2008, 2010) and has also won gold medals at the 2007 World Youth Championships in Athletics and 2008 Commonwealth Youth Games. She has been a success junior athlete in cross country running, taking the silver medals in the junior team and individual competitions at the 2009 IAAF World Cross Country Championships and improving to the gold medals at the 2010 edition.
As of Sep 15, 2026: 3000 m 8:21.14 (#17 all-time), 5000 m 14:33.95 (#77 all-time), 2026 season best 16:08.72 (May 27, 2026, Ulinzi Sports Complex, Langata, Nairobi (KEN)) · Last competition: Boilermaker Road Race, Jul 12, 2026, 50:23 · World Championships: 1 silver · Area record (4x1500 Metres Relay) · 35 years old
Personal bests
Medals
| 🥇 | 🥈 | 🥉 | Total | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| World Championships | - | 1 | - | 1 |
Performance Charts
Season bests
2026
4 performances| Discipline | Result | Wind | Date | Competitions |
|---|---|---|---|---|
15Kilometr | 50:23 | - | Jul 12 | Boilermaker Road Race |
10Kilometr | 32:37 | - | Jul 4 | Northside Hospital Peachtree Road Race |
5000m | 16:08.72 | - | May 27 | Athletics Kenya National Police Service Track and Field Championships |
Semi | 1:10:06 | - | Mar 28 | Generali Prague Half Marathon |
2025
7 performances| Discipline | Result | Wind | Date | Competitions |
|---|---|---|---|---|
10000m | 34:02.1HT | - | Nov 22 | 4th Betika Bingwa Fest Track and Field - Nairobi |
10000m | 34:02.1HT | - | Nov 22 | 4th Betika Bingwa Fest Track and Field - Nairobi |
5000m | 15:51.12 | - | Jun 27 | Kenyan Championships |
10Kilometr | 32:59 | - | Jun 22 | B.A.A. 10K, Boston, MA |
5000m | 15:28.87 | - | May 31 | Kip Keino Classic, Ulinzi Sports Complex, Langata, Nairobi |
5000m | 15:45.50 | - | May 16 | 6th AK Track & Field Weekend Meeting/Relay Series, Ulinzi Sports Complex, Langata, Nairobi |
CrossCount | 7:18 | - | Feb 8 | Kenyan Cross Country Championships, Nairobi - XC 2.0km |
2022
6 performances| Discipline | Result | Wind | Date | Competitions |
|---|---|---|---|---|
10Kilometr | 30:55 | - | Dec 18 | Corrida Internationale de Houilles |
5000m | 15:41.31 | - | Jun 25 | Kenyan Trials for World Championships and Commonwealth Games 2022, Moi International Sports Centre, Kasarani, Nairobi |
3000m | 8:40.29 | - | Jun 5 | Meeting International Mohammed VI d'Athletisme de Rabat, Complexe Sportif Prince Moulay Abdellah, Rabat - Diamond Discipline |
5000m | 15:15.39 | - | May 7 | Kip Keino Classic |
5Kilometre | 14:56 | - | Apr 30 | adizero Road to Records, Herzogenaurach |
5000m | 15:20.12 | - | Apr 16 | Police Ch., Nairobi |
2021
9 performances| Discipline | Result | Wind | Date | Competitions |
|---|---|---|---|---|
1500m | 4:09.64 | - | Sep 18 | Kip Keino Classic, Moi International Sports Centre, Kasarani, Nairobi |
2000m | 5:37.00 | - | Sep 14 | Memorial Borisa Hanžekovića, Sports Park Mladost, Zagreb |
3000m | 8:40.76 | - | Aug 31 | Palio Città della Quercia, Stadio Quercia, Rovereto |
1500m | 4:05.51 | - | Jul 5 | Meeting Stanislas Nancy, Stade Raymond Petit, Tomblaine |
1500m | 4:08.26 | - | Jun 30 | Irena Szewinska Memorial / Bydgoszcz Cup, Zdzisław Krzyszkowiak Stadium, Bydgoszcz |
5000m | 15:02.42 | - | Jun 17 | Kenya Olympic Games Trials, Moi International Sports Centre, Kasarani, Nairobi |
1500m | 4:11.86 | - | Jun 17 | Kenya Olympic Games Trials, Moi International Sports Centre, Kasarani, Nairobi |
5000m | 14:54.70 | - | Jun 1 | Meeting International de Montreuil, Stade des Grands Pêchers, Montreuil - National Events |
1500m | 4:11.44 | - | May 27 | Athletics Kenya Pre-Trials, Nyayo National Stadium, Nairobi |
2020
1 performance| Discipline | Result | Wind | Date | Competitions |
|---|---|---|---|---|
1500m | 4:06.79 | - | Oct 3 | Kip Keino Classic, Nyayo National Stadium, Nairobi |
2019
10 performances| Discipline | Result | Wind | Date | Competitions |
|---|---|---|---|---|
5Kilometre | 15:38 | - | Dec 31 | BOclassic Südtirol |
5000m | 15:52.19 | - | Sep 13 | Kenya World Championship Trials, Nyayo National Stadium, Nairobi |
5000m | 15:44.72 | - | Aug 22 | Kenyan Championships, Nyayo National Stadium, Nairobi |
5000m | 15:36.54 | - | Aug 22 | Kenyan Championships, Nyayo National Stadium, Nairobi |
5000m | 15:44.72 | - | Aug 21 | Kenyan Championships, Nyayo National Stadium, Nairobi |
5000m | 15:36.54 | - | Aug 20 | Kenyan Championships, Nyayo National Stadium, Nairobi |
1500m | 4:11.62 | - | Jul 16 | Meeting Pro Athlé Tour de Sotteville les Rouen |
5000m | 15:05.22 | - | Jul 13 | Guldensporenmeeting, Kortrijk |
2000m | 5:48.09 | - | Jul 9 | Gyulai István Memorial - Hungarian Athletics Grand Prix, Bregyó Athletic Center, Székesfehérvár |
1500m | 4:13.34 | - | Jun 18 | Folksam Grand Prix, Sollentuna |
2016
12 performances| Discipline | Result | Wind | Date | Competitions |
|---|---|---|---|---|
3000m | 8:34.49 | - | Aug 25 | Athletissima Lausanne, Stade Olympique de la Pontaise, Lausanne - Diamond Discipline |
5000m | 14:42.89 | - | Aug 19 | The XXXI Olympic Games |
5000m | 15:19.56 | - | Aug 16 | The XXXI Olympic Games |
5000m | 14:42.89 | - | Aug 16 | The XXXI Olympic Games |
3000m | 8:27.25 | - | Jul 15 | Monaco Herculis, Stade Louis II, Monaco - Diamond Discipline |
5000m | 15:25.51 | - | Jul 1 | Eldoret Kenyan Olympic Trials, Eldoret |
5000m | 15:12.85 | - | Jun 5 | Birmingham British Athletics GP, Alexander Stadium, Birmingham - Diamond Discipline |
5000m | 14:33.95 | - | Jun 2 | Roma Golden Gala - Pietro Mennea, Stadio Olimpico, Roma - Promotional Events |
5000m | 14:37.08 | - | May 27 | Eugene Prefontaine Classic |
3000m | 8:26.36 | - | May 6 | Doha IAAF Diamond League, Suhaim bin Hamad Stadium, Doha - Diamond Discipline |
1500m | 4:23.2HT | - | Mar 19 | Nakuru |
1500m | 4:21.1HT | - | Mar 18 | Nakuru |
2015
1 performance| Discipline | Result | Wind | Date | Competitions |
|---|---|---|---|---|
1500m | 4:05.60 | - | Sep 11 | Bruxelles Memorial Van Damme, Boudewijnstadion, Bruxelles - Diamond Discipline |
Honours
Meeting International Mohammed VI d'Athletisme de Rabat
3000 Metres
The XXXI Olympic Games
5000 Metres
IAAF World Championships
5000 Metres
London Sainsbury's Anniversary Games
5000 Metres
IAAF World Relays
4x1500 Metres Relay
Bruxelles Memorial Van Damme
3000 Metres
Marrakesh African Championships
5000 Metres
Glasgow Commonwealth Games
5000 Metres
Bruxelles Memorial Van Damme
3000 Metres
Marrakesh African Championships
5000 Metres
Birmingham British Athletics Grand Prix
2 Miles
Athletissima Lausanne
3000 Metres
New York adidas Grand Prix
3000 Metres
Eugene Prefontaine Classic
2 Miles
Glasgow Commonwealth Games
5000 Metres
Kenyan Championships
5000 Metres
IAAF World Championships
5000 Metres
Birmingham Aviva Grand Prix
3000 Metres
Monaco Herculis
3000 Metres
Athletissima Lausanne
3000 Metres
IAAF World Championships
5000 Metres
38th IAAF World Cross Country Championships
Cross Country U20 Race
IAAF World Junior Championships
3000 Metres
IAAF World Junior Championships
5000 Metres
Kenyan Championships
5000 Metres
Bambous African Junior Championships
3000 Metres
37th IAAF World Cross Country Championships
Cross Country U20 Race
Bambous African Junior Championships
5000 Metres
Bydgoszcz IAAF World Junior Championships
3000 Metres
Ostrava IAAF World Youth Championships
3000 Metres
Frequently asked questions
What is Mercy Cherono's 3000 m personal best?
Mercy Cherono's 3000 m personal best is 8:21.14, set on May 9, 2014 in Suhaim bin Hamad Stadium, Doha (QAT), #17 on the all-time list.
Which events does Mercy Cherono compete in?
Mercy Cherono competes in the 3000 m and 5000 m.
How did Mercy Cherono perform in 2026?
2026 season best: 16:08.72, set on May 27, 2026 in Ulinzi Sports Complex, Langata, Nairobi (KEN). Last competition: Boilermaker Road Race on Jul 12, 2026, 50:23.
How many medals has Mercy Cherono won?
Mercy Cherono has won 1 World Championships medal.