Faith Kipyegon and Beatrice Chebet Make History at Prefontaine Classic 2025

In one of the most electrifying afternoons in track and field history, Kenya’s distance-running superstars, Faith Kipyegon and Beatrice Chebet, shattered world records at the 50th Prefontaine Classic at Hayward Field.

Beatrice Chebet Shatters 5000m World Record

• Historic milestone: Olympic 5k and 10k champion Beatrice Chebet became the first woman ever to run under 14 minutes in the 5000m, clocking an astonishing 13:58.06, obliterating Gudaf Tsegay’s previous record of 14:00.21 by over two seconds
• Race strategy: Pacers led through 2km in about 5:35.4. Chebet then took the reins, maintaining pace with Tsegay and Kenyan Agnes Ngetich—until unleashing a 61.9‑sec final lap and a blistering 28.8‑sec final 200m to secure victory Ngetich finished runner‑up in 14:01.29 (third-fastest ever), with Tsegay third in 14:04.41
• Athlete reaction: “When I was coming here… I said I have to try,” Chebet said. “If Faith is trying, why not me? …I’m so happy,” expressing her pride in becoming the first woman sub‑14 minutes

Dual World Record Triumphs

• Beatrice Chebet’s world record added to the spectacle when Faith Kipyegon followed up with a 3:48.68 in the 1500m—becoming the first woman ever under 3:49—demonstrating Kenya’s stunning depth in women’s distance events

Event Highlights Summary

Rivalry & Friendship

Chebet and Kipyegon, both celebrated Kenyan athletes and close friends, coached by elite teams, shared a special kinship. Chebet credited Kipyegon’s WR effort as a motivating spark, saying, “If Faith is trying, why not me?” After crossing the finish lines, they embraced—a wholesome display of shared triumph and support

What This Means for Global Athletics

• Kenyan dominance: Their double world records cement Kenya’s supremacy in women’s distance running.
• Record-breaking race conditions: High-quality pacemaking aided both performances; Chebet’s final 200m and Kipyegon’s lethal kick were especially critical
• Looking ahead: Both athletes are now in exceptional shape heading into the 2025 World Championships in Tokyo, setting up a much-anticipated showdown.

Chebet Reflects

“I pushed for myself… I have to go because I am the one who wants a world record,” Chebet told reporters, adding she was “so happy” to break the sub‑14 barrier

Final Thoughts

Beatrice Chebet’s trailblazing 13:58.06 in the 5000m stands among the greatest distance performances ever, and perfectly complements Faith Kipyegon’s jaw-dropping 1500m effort. Together, they showcased resilience, unity, and a new benchmark for women’s athletics at the Prefontaine Classic.