Champions of the Track: Celebrating Africa’s 5000-Meter Athletes

Welcome to the Podium Pursuit Athlete Showcase series, where we shine a spotlight on the remarkable talent of African athletes who are making their mark on the world stage. From the tracks to the fields, and everywhere in between, these athletes are not just competitors, but ambassadors of their nations, embodying the spirit of determination, resilience, and excellence. Join us as we celebrate their achievements, delve into their journeys, and explore the inspiring stories behind their pursuit of podium glory.

Our attention turns to the electrifying domain of 5000-meter athletes as we explore the African Sport Ventures Group’s latest African Athlete Rankings. From heart-pounding races to thrilling finishes, these exceptional athletes exemplify excellence, inspiring generations with their relentless pursuit of greatness.

Gudaf Tsegay

Gudaf Tsegay sits in the first position on the African Rankings for the 5000-meter category. She is an Ethiopian middle- and long-distance runner renowned for her versatility and endurance.

Tsegay holds the women’s world record for the 5000 meters, set at the 2023 Diamond League final at the Prefontaine Classic in Eugene, Oregon. She also won the 5000 meters at the 2022 World Athletics Championships.

In 2023, she claimed the 10,000-meter gold, adding to her 1500-meter bronze in 2019, silver in 2022, and the 5000-meter bronze at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics. Tsegay is a two-time World Indoor Championship 1500-meter medallist, with a bronze in 2016 and gold in 2022, and holds the world indoor record for 1500 meters. Representing Ethiopia at age 16 in the 1500 meters at the 2014 World Indoor Championships, she won silver in the discipline at the World U20 Championships.

As of September 2023, she ranks 10th in the indoor 800 meters, 1st in the 5000 meters, and 3rd in the 10,000 meters globally.

Beatrice Chebet

Beatrice Chebet takes the second spot on the African Rankings. Born on March 5, 2000, Chebet is a Kenyan long-distance runner.

In 2022, she won the silver medal in the 5000 meters at the World Championships and became the Commonwealth, African, and Diamond League champion. Chebet claimed the gold medal in the women’s senior race at the 2023 and 2024 World Cross Country Championships.

She is also the current world record holder in the 10,000 meters, with a time of 28 minutes and 54 seconds, set at the 2024 Prefontaine Classic on May 25. In setting this record, Chebet became the first woman in history to break 29 minutes in the 10,000 meters.

Nicknamed the “Smiling Assassin,” she took the world under-20 title in the 5000 meters in 2018 and at the 2019 World Cross Country Championships.

Faith Kipyegon

Faith Kipyegon, having clinched the first spot in last week’s 1500-meter showcase, now claims the third spot in the 5000-meter category.

Formerly the world record holder for the 5000 meters, Kipyegon achieved a remarkable feat by breaking Letesenbet Gidey’s 5000 meters world standard of 14:06.62, set in 2020, exactly seven days later on June 9.

This surprising accomplishment marked Kipyegon’s second world record, especially notable as it was her first race over the distance since 2015 and only the third ever.

Yomif Kejelcha Atomsa

Yomif Kejelcha Atomsa, born on August 1, 1997, holds the number one spot in the African Rankings for the 5000-meter men’s category. Kejelcha is an Ethiopian distance runner renowned for his achievements.

He secured the silver medal in the 10,000 meters at the 2019 World Athletics Championships and claimed gold medals for the 3000 meters at the 2016 and 2018 World Indoor Championships.

Notably, Kejelcha holds the world indoor record for the mile, clocking in at 3:47.01, achieved on March 3, 2019, in Boston.

Additionally, he attained the title of World Youth 3000 meters champion in 2013 and the World Junior 5000 meters gold medallist in 2014.

Berihu Aregawi

Berihu Aregawi claims the second position. Born on February 28, 2001, he is an Ethiopian long-distance runner.

Aregawi achieved fourth place in the 10,000 meters at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics and secured the silver medal for the men’s race at the 2023 World Cross Country Championships.

Notably, he holds the world record for the 5-kilometer road race, established on December 31, 2021, in Barcelona. Aregawi’s accolades extend to his bronze medal in the 10,000 meters at the 2018 World Under-20 Championships at the age of 17.

Additionally, he holds the Ethiopian record in the 10 kilometres. On December 31, 2023, he was declared the victor of the “San Silvestre Vallecana”.

Hagos Gebrhiwet

Hagos Gebrhiwet secures the third spot in the 5000-meter category.

In February 2013, he set a new junior world record in the 3000 meters at the New Balance Indoor Grand Prix. He won the junior world cross-country title in March 2013. Gebrhiwet claimed silver in the 5000 meters at the 2013 World Championships in Athletics.

Notably, in June 2023, he ran 12:49.80 for third place at the Lausanne Diamond League, becoming the first athlete to achieve sub-12:50 over 10 years apart.

He later secured victory and a personal best with 12:42.18 at the Monaco Diamond League in July 2023, followed by a win at the 2024 Bislett Games with a time of 12:36.73, the second-fastest in history over 5000 meters.

In celebrating these remarkable individuals, we not only honour their extraordinary achievements but also acknowledge the indomitable spirit and resilience that propel them towards podium glory. Their journeys epitomize the essence of sportsmanship, unity, and the unyielding pursuit of excellence, inspiring generations to dream big, persevere, and reach for the stars.

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It is pioneering new ways for fans to interact and engage with their favourite teams, leagues, and athletes and enable alternative revenue streams.

ProTouch Africa’s Podium Pursuit Project is focused on creating a transparent and sustainable funding mechanism for the next generation of African Athletes. Its vision is to launch the World’s first fan-owned impact investment platform for African Athletes in 2024 by assembling an ecosystem of top-performing athletes, their fans, and the brands that support them.