'Chase longevity, not haste'- Linet Masai makes a powerful statement on athlete transitions

Former women’s 10,000m world champion Linet Masai has made plea to young athletes, urging them to embrace a well-planned and gradual transition from track events to road races.

The Kenyan running legend the importance of patience, warning that premature shifts to marathons could jeopardize careers.

Despite her illustrious career over a decade, she remains a force to be reckoned with, now setting her sights on the Barcelona Marathon in March.

Usain Bolt and Noah Lyles have become iconic advocates for clean competition, proving greatness can be achieved without doping.

Reflecting on the struggles she has among upcoming athletes, Masai shared her concerns about the growing trend of rushing into marathons.

“I want to urge my fellow athletes, especially the upcoming ones, to exercise patience when graduating from track to marathon. They should do it when ready and not when chasing something else,” said Masai in an interview with

Masai firmly believes that the secret to a transition lies in consistency and perseverance.

“The secret is you have to trust the process. Start slowly and stay consistent with your training,” she added.

After securing third place at the National Police Service Cross Country Championships earlier this year, she is using cross-country races as part of her rigorous training.

Clocking an impressive 34 minutes and 17.6 seconds, her performance showcased the competitive edge that has defined her career.

Noah Lyles almost never uses this one tactic in his racing that he was forced to use thanks to Kishane Thompson's threat in the final of the 100m at the Paris Olympics.

Her advice is rooted in her own journey, which saw her conquer the track before moving to road races. Masai’s rise to prominence began with her 10,000m gold medal at the 2009 World Championships in Berlin, followed by an Olympic bronze in Beijing in 2008.

She also earned three consecutive silver medals at the World Cross Country Championships between 2009 and 2011, solidifying her place as one of Kenya’s greatest athletes.

Last year, she was honored with the Head of State Commendation (HSC) by President William Ruto during Kenya’s 60th Jamhuri Day celebrations.