Double Glory! Faith Kipyegon and Beatrice Chebet Smash World Records in the USA, Kenya Celebrates

Kenya’s legendary middle- and long-distance queens, Faith Kipyegon and Beatrice Chebet, have once again catapulted the nation to the global spotlight by smashing world records at the prestigious 50th Prefontaine Classic held on Saturday, July 5, at Hayward Field in Eugene, Oregon, USA. 

Faith Kipyegon, a reigning champion in her discipline, broke her own 1500m world record just a year after setting it. With a mind-blowing time of 3:48.68, Kipyegon lowered her previous mark by 0.36 seconds, solidifying her dominance as one of the greatest female middle-distance runners in history.  

The new feat comes hot on the heels of her recent sub-four-minute mile attempt, a performance that, while ineligible for record purposes, would have also broken the world record. 

Not to be outdone, Beatrice Chebet produced a jaw-dropping performance in the 5000m, becoming the first woman ever to run the race in under 14 minutes.  

Chebet clocked 13:58.06, smashing Ethiopia’s Gudaf Tsegay’s previous record of 14:00.21 by more than two seconds. Her final sprint ignited shockwaves across the athletics world and marked a monumental moment in women’s distance running. 

In a powerful show of Kenyan prowess, Chebet was followed by fellow countrywoman Agnes Jebet Ngetich, who placed second with a time of 14:01.29, while Gudaf Tsegay came in third at 14:04.41. 

President William Ruto led the country in celebrating the sensational victories, posting on Sunday morning: 

“We salute Faith Kipyegon and Beatrice Chebet for setting new world records in the women’s 1500m and 5000m events at the Prefontaine Classic.” 

He also gave a special mention to Agnes Jebet Ngetich, praising her second-place finish as part of a dominant Kenyan performance on the global stage. 

The golden streak of these two phenomenal athletes has not gone unnoticed. In 2024, both Kipyegon and Chebet were honoured by the prestigious Academy of Achievement, receiving their awards at the Dinner of the Golden Plate Awards Ceremony at the Lincoln Centre in New York. President Ruto himself presented the awards on September 22, 2024, and commended their commitment to excellence. 

“The extraordinary honour is a solid tribute to your hard work, talent and dedication to athletics. No doubt, it will inspire upcoming athletes and help shape our country’s sports,” President Ruto said during the ceremony. 

These achievements are more than just records, they are a celebration of Kenyan resilience, talent, and an ever-burning passion for distance running. Faith Kipyegon and Beatrice Chebet have once again reminded the world why Kenya is the true home of champions.