"The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams," former US first lady Eleanor Roosevelt was quoted as saying; motivation enough for 2025 Nairobi City Marathon winner Christine Njoki, who is dreaming of a place in Kenya's World Athletics Championships team.

Njoki, the current SA all-comers record holder and 2024 Lille 10km third place finisher, has set her sights on a place in the women’s 10,000m team for the Tokyo World Championships after storming to victory in the women’s 10K race at the Nairobi City Marathon, held on 6 July 2025.

‎‎Njoki crossed the line in 30:04, holding off a late surge from Diana Wanza (30:32) and Phena Yego who clocked 30:35 to complete the podium places at the annual marathon.

‎‎The 26-year-old was bullish of her chances prior to this year's Marathon and believes she has what it takes to qualify for the Kenyan team for the Championships. Competition to make the team will be tough as already, the country boasts of owning Beatrice Chebet, the current 10,000 metres Olympic champion and world record holder.

‎‎With the national trials looming on Tuesday July 22, 2025 at the Ulinzi Stadium complex in Nairobi, Njoki believes her performance could tip the scales in her favour.

‎‎”My focus now is the trials for the World Championships, I will be doing the 10,000m and hope to make the team to Tokyo. I have run the 10K today and so I see I can do well in the 10,000m at the trials,” she said.

There will be stiff competition no doubt come trials day, as Kenya selects its team for the highly anticipated September 13 to 21 World Championships. Njoki will hope her name will be on the flight to the far east.