Chemutai in slow season debut

Doha Diamond League

Women's 3000m Steeplechase

1. F. Cherotich (9:05.08)

2. W. Yavi (9:05.26)

3. S. Almayew (9:09.27)

7. P. Chemutai (9:15.55)

Peruth Chemutai is in offseason form.

Thankfully, the track season is just getting started and there is plenty of time to pursue the much-needed improvement that was apparent in Chemutai's first appearance of the season.

Chemutai finished seventh in the Doha Diamond League, posting a turgid 9:15:55 - way below her personal best.

But Chemutai is notoriously a slow starter, working her way to peak shape as the season matures.

After running with the leading pack for much of the race, Chemutai faded as the bell for the final lap sounded, leaving her nemesis Winifred Yavi to race for the finish.

Except, Kenya's Faith Cherotich had other plans, hunting down the reigning Olympic champion on the home straight to claim top honours.

Yavi and Chemutai won gold and silver respectively at the Paris Olympics, and the two will probably be the favourites for the women's 3000m steeplechase at the World Athletics Championships in four months time.

Yavi finished a whole 10 seconds ahead of Chemutai. That is huge but time is still on the side of Uganda’s two-time Olympic medallist.