Faith Kipyegon and Beatrice Chebet Set New World Records in the United States
Kenyan stars Faith Kipyegon and Beatrice Chebet made history on Saturday, July 5, by breaking world records in the women’s 1500m and 5000m races, respectively. Their remarkable performances took place at the 50th Prefontaine Classic, held at Hayward Field in Eugene, Oregon, in the United States.
Faith Kipyegon, a celebrated middle-distance runner, beat her own world record in the 1500 metres just one year after setting it. She ran an impressive 3:48.68, shaving off 0.36 seconds from her previous best.
This comes shortly after she made an attempt to break the four-minute barrier in the mile race. Although she did not achieve a sub-four-minute mile, her time was so exceptional that, if eligible, it could have counted as a new world record.
Speaking to the Wanda Diamond League after the race, Kipyegon expressed deep gratitude for the achievement. “When I competed in Paris, I believed running under 3:49 was still possible, and I’m very thankful I did it. I give thanks to God, my coach, my management, and everyone who supported me during this journey,” she said.
She also credited her intense training for the sub-four-minute mile for helping her improve in the 1500m. “Preparing to run under four minutes really pushed me to go beyond my limits. That hard work helped me get better in the 1500m, and I believed breaking the 3:49 mark was within reach,” she added.
Meanwhile, Beatrice Chebet delivered an extraordinary performance in the women’s 5000m race, finishing with a time of 13:58.06. With this, she became the first woman in history to complete the 5000m in under 14 minutes, smashing the previous record held by Ethiopia’s Gudaf Tsegay, which was 14:00.21.
Chebet’s winning time was a full two seconds faster than the old world record. Until now, only Tsegay had come close to that milestone, and Chebet has now surpassed that standard by a significant margin.
Right behind Chebet was fellow Kenyan runner Agnes Jebet Ngetich, who claimed second place with a time of 14:01.29. The previous world record holder, Gudaf Tsegay, came in third with a time of 14:04.41, completing a thrilling race that showcased world-class talent from Kenya and Ethiopia.
Kenya’s President William Ruto led the celebrations on Sunday morning, praising the athletes for their stunning achievements.
In a statement, he said, “We salute Faith Kipyegon and Beatrice Chebet for setting new world records in the women’s 1500m and 5000m at the Prefontaine Classic.” He also congratulated Agnes Jebet for her strong performance and second-place finish.
Kipyegon and Chebet have been on an incredible journey over the past few years. Their hard work and consistent victories have earned them recognition at both national and international levels. In 2024, the two athletes were honoured by the prestigious Academy of Achievement for their outstanding contributions to athletics.
President Ruto presented the awards to them during the Golden Plate Awards Dinner held at the Lincoln Center in New York on September 22, 2024. While presenting the honours, he praised their commitment and talent.
“This is a well-deserved tribute to your dedication, discipline, and exceptional skill in athletics. Your success will surely motivate many upcoming athletes in Kenya and contribute to the growth of our country’s sporting culture,” he said.
With their recent records, both Kipyegon and Chebet have once again proven why they are among the greatest athletes of their generation. Their accomplishments not only bring pride to Kenya but also inspire young runners across the world to aim higher and dream bigger.
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