By Elias Makori and World Athletics
Kenya’s double Olympic champion Beatrice Chebet wound up her training in Iten last week and headed to Eugene, Oregon, confident that she would do “something special” at Saturday’s Prefontaine Classic at Hayward Field.
And she did, in spectacular fashion, becoming the first woman in history to cover the 5,000 metres race inside 14 minutes, clocking a world record of 13 minutes 58.06 seconds at the Prefontaine Classic, a Wanda Diamond League meeting, at the University of Oregon’s iconic stadium.
Londiani-born Chebet, 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 compatriot Agnes Jebet Ngetich.
They operated at world record pace from the outset with the first 1,000m covered in 2:47.07 with Dorcas Ewoi doing the early pacing.
The second pacemaker led the field through 2,000m in 5:35.37 and dropped out soon after, by which point Chebet, Tsegay and Ngetich had broken away from the rest of the field.
Chebet passed 3,000m in 8:22.96, 1.04 seconds inside the pace required for a sub-14-minute run.
Something for closing stages
The pace dropped slightly for the next kilometre as 4,000m was reached in 11:14.12, but Chebet had saved something for the closing stages.
She kicked hard with 200 metres to go.
Tsegay’s challenge began to fade and she was soon passed by Ngetich, but Chebet was away and clear and crossed the line in 13:58.06, taking 2.15 seconds off Tsegay’s world record.
Ngetich took second place in 14:01.29, the third-fastest time in history, and Tsegay placed third in 14:04.41.
“I’m so happy! After running in Rome, I said I have to prepare for a record, because in Rome I was just running to win a race, but after running 14:03, I said that I’m capable of running a world record, so, let me go back home, and then come to Eugene,” Chebet reflected after her world record run.
“When I was coming here to Eugene, I was coming to prepare to run a world record, and I said I have to try. I said if Faith is trying, why not me?
“And today, I’m so happy because I’ve achieved being the first woman to run under 14. I’m so happy for myself.
“Discipline and hard work, my coach and my husband have been there assisting me in everything I’m doing in training and supporting me, and Faith has been a close friend to me. Hayward Field is good for me. This isn’t my first time coming here, so I can say that it’s a good track for me.
“I’m happy to represent my country and I know when going to the World Championship, we have a strong field. We hope for good health and good results there.”
President Ruto, Senator Cheruiyot messages
Back home, Chebet’s home Senator in Kericho County Aaron Cheruiyot was ecstatic while President William Ruto also congratulated the champ and her compatriot Faith Kipyegon who also set a new world record in her 1,500m specialty.
“Beatrice Chebet becomes the first woman in history to run under 14 min in the 5,000M as she set a new World Record of 13.58.06 at the Prefontaine Classic in USA,” Cheruiyot posted on X.
“Congratulations the hometown girl. Londiani, Kericho is proud of you. Kenya is proud of you. The world has not yet tested the immense talent oozing from Kenya as we count down to the World Championship to be held in Tokyo later in September. Congratulations again Beatrice Chebet.”
President Ruto joined in congratulating Kenya’s golden girls: “We salute Faith Kipyegon and Beatrice Chebet for setting new world records in the women’s 1,500m and 5,000m events at the Prefontaine Classic,” the President posted on his socials.
“Congratulations Ms Kipyegon for breaking your own record with a breathtaking and inspirational run. Hats off to Ms Chebet for becoming the first woman in history to run under 14 minutes on the track!
“Well done to Agnes Jebet for securing a strong second-place finish in the 5,000m. Your remarkable achievements have once again lifted Kenya’s flag high and filled the nation with pride. This well-deserved victory reaffirms Kenya’s enduring dominance on the global athletics stage.” (Joint reporting with World Athletics)
Elias Makori, the founder and Managing Editor of Pura Vida Sports Africa, is a veteran sports journalist with over 30 years’ experience. Makori is a holder of a Masters in Sports Management degree from Barcelona’s Cruyff Institute and is also the 2012 World Athletics Journalist of the Year, three-time Kenya Sports Journalist of the Year and twice Africa Sports Media Personality of the Year.
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