Kenya’s Faith Kipyegon lowered her own 1500m world record to 3:48.68 at the 2025 Prefontaine Classic in Eugene, Oregon, improving on her previous mark of 3:49.04 set in Paris in 2024. The reigning Olympic champion used her trademark finishing kick to pull away from Ethiopia’s Diribe Welteji and Australia’s Jessica Hull, who finished second and third in 3:51.44 and 3:52.67, respectively.
Kipyegon credited her recent “Breaking4” mile attempt in Paris — where she came up short of the sub-4 barrier — as critical preparation for her record-breaking performance. “I pushed myself getting better and better toward the 1500,” said Kipyegon.
In the women’s 5000m, Beatrice Chebet became the first woman in history to break 14 minutes, clocking 13:58.06. The 25-year-old surged past Agnes Jebet Ngetich (14:01.29) and former world record holder Gudaf Tsegay (14:04.41) with a devastating final lap. Chebet said she was inspired by both her 14:03 effort in Rome and Kipyegon’s ambitions in Paris: “If Faith is trying, why not me?”
Both athletes are set to receive $50,000 USD bonuses for their world records, in addition to standard Diamond League prize money.
The Prefontaine Classic also featured standout performances across the board. Kishane Thompson won the men’s 100m in 9.85, Melissa Jefferson-Wooden took the women’s 100m in 10.75, and Mondo Duplantis cleared 6.00m to win the pole vault. Ethiopia’s Biniam Mehary ran a world-leading 26:43.82 in the 10,000m, and Bahrain’s Winfred Yavi clocked 8:45.25 in the 3000m steeplechase — just shy of the world record.
With the World Championships in Tokyo looming in September, Kenya’s dominance in middle- and long-distance running appears stronger than ever.
More races:
