Cherotich was touted as one to watch at Glasgow 2026, and she failed to disappoint in an absolute spectacle of a race at Scotstoun Stadium on day six of the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games.

The 22-year-old made her debut on the international scene at just 17, winning the bronze medal at the 2021 World Athletics Under-20 Championships held in Nairobi, Kenya. She quickly upgraded to a gold in the same event winning the title at the World U20 Championships in Cali, Colombia. Most recently, she grabbed another gold in the 2025 World Athletics Championships in Tokyo, Japan, also in the 3000m Steeplechase.

Faith Cherotich of Team Kenya overtakes Peruth Chemutai of Team Uganda while exiting the water jump during the Women's 3000m Steeplechase Final during the Athletics on day six of the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games

Photography Mattia Ozbot/Getty Images

The race was billed as a head-to-head for gold between world leader Peruth Chemutai, of Uganda, and Kenya's Faith Cherotich – respectively third and fourth on the all-time list. Cherotich won the gold after breaking Chemutai with three laps to go. Then, on the final lap, England's Elise Thorner caught Chemutai to secure a sensational silver with a huge personal best.

Faith Cherotich broke the Women's 3000m Steeplechase Commonwealth Games record with a time of 9:01.76 - beating out her fellow Kenyan athlete Jackline Chepkoech who had a time of 9:15.68 set at Birmingham 2022. She falls short of beating the World Record, 8:44.32, also set by Kenyan Beatrice Chepkoech in Monaco Herculis Diamond League meeting.