Kenya’s reputation as a hotbed for athletic talent did not just start the other day. The Paul Tergats, Kipchoge Keinos, and Catherine Nderebas of yesteryear paved the way for the current crop of Faith Kipyegon, Eliud Kipchoge, and many others. One constant hallmark of almost every Kenyan athletic story is the rise from grass to grace. The athletes have to defy great odds to become the superstars they are.

Chebichi was born in Trans Nzoia to a family of nine children. She attended Milimani Primary School in Kitale. When she was 14, she went to a meet organized by the Kenya Amateur Athletics Association (now Athletics Kenya) in Kericho. Chebichi did not dress appropriately for the competition, unlike her competitors, but that did not stop her from putting on a show.

According to Face2Face Africa, she ran the women’s 800 meters in 2 minutes 16 seconds and the 1500 meters in 4 minutes and 40 seconds.

https://x.com/OlympicsKe/status/1480774588690747392

Her bright green petticoat gained her the nickname ‘petticoat princess’ and global attention. Feisal Sherman, secretary of the Kenya Amateur Athletics Association, sent her a running kit and shoes. A year later, she became the first Kenyan female runner to win a Commonwealth Games medal, taking bronze in the 800m in Christchurch, New Zealand, and sixth in the 1500m.