Beatrice Chebet stunned the
athletics world on Saturday after smashing the women’s 5000m world record with
a historic time of 13:58.06 at the Prefontaine Classic, held in Eugene, Oregon.
Chebet, 24, delivered a powerful
sprint finish to become the first woman in history to run the 5000m in under 14
minutes, rewriting the record books and establishing herself as the new queen
of the long-distance track event.
The Kenyan athlete broke the
previous world record of 14:00.21, which Ethiopia’s Gudaf Tsegay had set in September 2023.
Chebet’s performance drew global attention, with her final lap showcasing exceptional strength and determination.
She held off a competitive field before surging in the closing
stages, crossing the finish line in disbelief as the clock confirmed her new
place in history.
The race, part of the Diamond League
circuit and sponsored by Nike, attracted top-tier athletes, but none could
match Chebet’s pace. Her victory not only earned her the record but also
marked a new era in women’s long-distance running.
Fans
back home took to social media to celebrate the achievement, calling it a proud moment for the country
and a sign of Kenya’s continued dominance in distance events.
Chebet’s record-setting run comes
just weeks ahead of the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, where she is now a favourite in the 5000m event.
Her coach described the performance
as “perfectly timed and executed,” noting that it was the result of months of
focused preparation.
With this victory, Chebet has solidified her place in the sport’s history and set a new standard for future generations of runners.
