Norah Jeruto Tanui (Kazakh: Нора Джеруто Тануй, born 2 October 1995[1]) is a Kazakhstani (formerly Kenyan) long-distance runner specialising in the steeplechase. She won the gold medal in the 3000 metres steeplechase at the 2022 World Championships, becoming the first athlete representing Kazakhstan to win a title at the World Athletics Championships and setting a championship record in the process. Jeruto took gold in the event at the 2016 African Championships in Athletics.

Norah Jeruto
Personal information
Full nameNorah Jeruto Tanui
Nationality
  • Kenyan
  • Kazakhstani
Born (1995-10-02) 2 October 1995 (age 29)
Sport
CountryKazakhstan (since 2022)
SportAthletics
Event(s)3000 m steeplechase, Long-distance running
ClubAltay Athletics
Achievements and titles
Personal bests3000 m s'chase: 8:53.02 NR (Eugene 2022)
Medal record
Women's Athletics
Representing  Kazakhstan
World Championships
Gold medal – first place 2022 Eugene 3000 m st.
Representing  Kenya
Diamond League
First place 2021 3000 m st.
African Championships
Gold medal – first place 2016 Durban 3000 m st.

She was the 2021 Diamond League 3000 m steeplechase champion. Currently Jeruto is an athlete of Altay Athletics club (professional track and field club) in Kazakhstan.

Career

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Her international debut came at the 2011 African Cross Country Championships, where she placed sixth in the junior race to complete a Kenyan sweep of the top six.[2] She ran the third fastest time ever for the 2000 metres steeplechase at the 2011 World Youth Championships in Athletics, recording 6:16.41 minutes to take the gold in spite of a heavy fall at the waterjump.[3][4] Later that year she claimed the steeplechase title at the 2011 Commonwealth Youth Games, as well as a bronze in the 3000 metres flat.[5] She missed out on selection for the 2012 World Junior Championships in Athletics.[6]

She set a 3000 metres steeplechase best of 9:45.1 minutes at age fifteen, but struggled to improve on that in subsequent seasons.[7] She was selected for Kenya's junior team at the 2015 IAAF World Cross Country Championships, but did not compete.[8]

After a runner-up performance at the Kenyan Athletics Championships, setting a best of 9:28.5 minutes behind Lydia Rotich, Jeruto made her senior international debut at the 2016 African Championships in Athletics.[9] A personal best run of 9:25.07 minutes at the competition brought her the steeplechase gold medal and a championship record.[10]

Despite her ranking, she didn't participate at 2020 Tokyo Olympics, because she was still waiting for her Kazakhstan citizenship which she obtained on 30 January 2022.[1]

2022–present

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On May 28, 2022, at the Prefontaine Classic in Eugene, Oregon (third stop of the Diamond League) she ran the third fastest time ever by a woman at the 3000m steeplechase in 8.57.98. setting a world lead. She could've shaved half a second of that time as she thought she crossed the line 2–3 meters before the actual finish line.

On 20 July, she became the first athlete representing Kazakhstan to win a gold medal at the World Athletics Championships, establishing a new championship and national record of 8:53.02 in the process at the same Hayward Field in Eugene.[11]

In April 2023, she was provisionally suspended by the Athletics Integrity Unit for the use of an unidentified prohibited substance/method from her biological passport (ABP) data.[12] After an investigation that found no case to answer, the suspension was lifted in November 2023.[13]

Jeruto placed ninth in the final of the steeplechase at the 2024 Olympics.

Achievements

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International competitions

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Year Competition Venue Position Event Time
Representing   Kenya
2011 African Cross Country Championships Cape Town, South Africa 6th Junior race 20:53
1st Junior team
World Youth Championships Villeneuve-d'Ascq, France 1st 2000 m s'chase 6:16.41 WYL
Commonwealth Youth Games Douglas, Isle of Man 3rd 3000 m 9:24.02
1st 2000 m s'chase 6:28.10 GR
2016 African Championships Durban, South Africa 1st 3000 m s'chase 9:25.07 CR
Representing   Kazakhstan
2022 World Championships Eugene, OR, United States 1st 3000 m s'chase 8:53.02 CR NR
2024 Olympic Games Paris, France 9th 3000 m s'chase 9:08.97

Personal bests

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Road

Circuit wins and titles, National titles

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3000 metres steeplechase wins, other events specified in parentheses

References

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  1. ^ a b "Norah JERUTO – Athlete Profile". World Athletics. Retrieved 1 January 2023.
  2. ^ CAA AFRICAN CROSS COUNTRY CHAMPIONSHIPS Western Province Cricket Club, Newlands CAPE TOWN - SOUTH AFRICA Sunday, 06 March 2011. Athletics South Africa. Retrieved on 2016-07-02.
  3. ^ Ramsak, Bob (2011-07-10). Girls 2000m Steeplechase Final – Tanui dominates. IAAF. Retrieved on 2016-07-02.
  4. ^ Martin, David (2011-07-08). Tanui rises to No. 4 youth all-time in 2000m Steeplechase - Lille 2011 - Day 3, Morning report. IAAF. Retrieved on 2016-07-02.
  5. ^ Competitor Details - Norah Jeruto Tanui. cyg2011. Retrieved on 2016-07-02.
  6. ^ Mutuota, Mutwiri (2012-06-09). Kenya selects formidable squad for Barcelona – World Junior Championships. IAAF. Retrieved on 2016-07-02.
  7. ^ Norah Jeruto Tanui. IAAF. Retrieved on 2016-07-02.
  8. ^ Mutuota, Mutwiri (2015-02-12). World cross-country champions put reputations on the line in Nairobi. IAAF. Retrieved on 2016-07-02.
  9. ^ Senior outdoor 2016 3000 Metres Steeplechase women. IAAF. Retrieved on 2016-07-02.
  10. ^ Botton, Wesley (2016-06-26). Van Niekerk takes 200m title, two more golds for Semenya as African Championships conclude. IAAF. Retrieved on 2016-07-02.
  11. ^ Gault, Jonathan (7 April 2023). "Steeple World Champ Norah Jeruto Suspended for ABP, But Even Her Agent Wants To Know Why She Wasn't Suspended Sooner". LetsRun.com. Retrieved 7 April 2023.
  12. ^ Dickinson, Marley (7 April 2023). "World champion Norah Jeruto suspended for doping". Canadian Running Magazine. Retrieved 7 April 2023.
  13. ^ Carveth, Jessy (7 November 2023). "Steeplechase World Champion Norah Jeruto Acquitted Of Doping Charges". Marathon Handbook. Retrieved 7 November 2023.
  14. ^ "Wanda Diamond League Final | Zürich (SUI) | 8th-9th Sept 2021" (PDF). Diamond League. 2021-09-09. p. 9. Retrieved 2021-09-09.
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