Agnes Ngetich just did it again. On April 26, 2025, the Kenyan sprint queen shattered the women-only 10km world record in Herzogenaurach, Germany, clocking an unreal 29:27—smashing the previous mark by over 30 seconds. It’s the latest feat in a career packed with broken barriers, including her historic 28:46 mixed-gender 10km world record in Valencia last year. But behind every record is a story of grit, and for Agnes, that story starts with her family. Let’s meet the people who molded this running phenom.
Who is Veronica Cheruto? A former champion passing the baton to her daughter
Agnes’s mom, Veronica Cheruto, isn’t just a proud parent—she’s a former athlete who blazed her own trail in the 1990s. Though details of her career are scarce, Veronica’s experience as a long-distance runner gave Agnes a genetic edge and a deep respect for the sport. “My mother has been a pillar in my career,” Agnes said after dedicating her 2023 world record to Veronica and her coach, Ruth Bundotich.
But Veronica’s role goes beyond DNA. When Agnes’s father died suddenly, Veronica’s world crumbled. Struggling with grief, she turned to alcohol, leaving young Agnes to step up as the family’s breadwinner. Yet, Veronica’s resilience eventually shone through. She became Agnes’s quiet motivator, cheering her on even during the darkest days. Now, as Agnes dominates global races, Veronica’s legacy lives on—proof that champions raise champions.
How Agnes coped with the loss of her father at a young age
Agnes was just 10 when her father, a chemistry and math teacher, lost his battle with cancer. His death flipped her childhood upside down. With her mom drowning in despair, Agnes became the “surrogate head” of their household—a family of seven sisters and a brother. She traded schoolbooks for backbreaking labor, digging farms and hauling charcoal to put food on the table. “I’d miss school to work…when you don’t have food, you just go,” she recalled.
Running became her escape. Even barefoot and hungry, she’d show up to school races, catching the eye of coach Ruth Bundotich after collapsing mid-race. By 14, Agnes moved to a training camp, swapping farm life for track workouts. That relentless hustle, forged in loss, is why she calls herself a “fighter.”
What is Agnes Ngetich’s parents’ nationality?
Both of Agnes’s parents are Kenyan. Born in Keiyo District, Agnes comes from a line of hardworking, sports-loving locals. Her dad’s teaching job supported the family until his passing, while her mom’s athletic roots planted the seed for Agnes’s career. Though their lives were steeped in struggle, their Kenyan pride and community ties kept Agnes grounded. “I don’t want my siblings to miss school like I did,” she says, using her success to lift her family—and her nation—higher.
Agnes isn’t slowing down. Fresh off her Miami Slam 5000m win in May 2025, she’s laser-focused on the World Championships and more Grand Slam Track clashes. She’s also eyeing redemption after missing the 2024 Olympics, vowing to “make up for it” on the global stage. With her family’s resilience in her stride, Agnes is proof that heartbreak can fuel greatness.
So next time you see her blaze past a finish line, remember: she’s not just running for gold. She’s running for Veronica, for her dad, and for every kid in Kenya chasing dreams on empty stomachs.
The post Who Are Agnes Ngetich’s Parents? Meet Veronica Cheruto and the Family that Shaped the Kenyan Track Star appeared first on EssentiallySports.