Double Olympic champion Beatrice Chebet became the first woman in history to cover 5000m inside 14 minutes, clocking a world record of 13:58.06 at the Prefontaine Classic – a Wanda Diamond League meeting – in Eugene on Saturday (5).
The Kenyan, returning to the scene of her world 10.000m record from last year, was tracked for most of the race by Gudaf Tsegay, who held the world record prior to today, and Agnes Jebet Ngetich.
Agnes Ngetich took second place in 14:01.29, the third-fastest time in history, and Gudaf Tsegay placed third in 14:04.41.
Just 80 minutes after Chebet's record-breaking run, Kenyan compatriot and fellow Olympic gold medallist Faith Kipyegon re-entered the record books by breaking her own world 1500m record with 3:48.68. The multiple world and Olympic champion had made history of sorts last week by producing the fastest mile performance in history, albeit in an unofficial and unratifiable exhibition event.
Ethiopia’s Diribe Welteji came through for second (3:51.44) ahead of Jessica Hull (3:52.67) and Olympic bronze medallist Georgia Hunter Bell (3:54.76).
