• In the men's 10,000m, Daniel Mateiko clinched the title setting a world-leading time and personal best of 26:50.81.
• In the women's 3,000m steeplechase, World Indoor bronze medallist Beatrice Chepkoech clocked 8:56.51 for second place, trailing Uganda's Peruth Chemutai who finished in 8:55.09.
Image: HANDOUT
Two-time world cross-country champion Beatrice Chebet has her sights set on double glory in the 5,000m and 10,000m at the Olympics following her record-breaking triumph at the Prefontaine Classic in Eugene over the weekend.
Chebet shattered the women's 10,000m world record with a stunning 28:54.14, becoming the first woman to run under 29 minutes on the track. The previous record (29:01.03) was held by Ethiopia's Letesenbet Gidey.
Ethiopia’s Gudaf Tsegay settled for second clocking 29:05.92 with Lilian Kasait (29:26.89) and Margaret Chelimo (29:27.59) sealing third and fourth respectively.
The 10,000m race was part of the Athletics Kenya (AK) Trials for the Paris Olympics. Chebet and Kasait secured their spots on the team while the third athlete will be selected by a panel.
Chebet pointed out that after her triumph in Eugene, she has set her eyes on the 5,000m and 10,000m crowns at the Paris Olympics.
“In Paris, I will run the 5,000m first and 10,000m after. I know with good health and hard work, I am going to clinch the medals,” she noted.
Chebet expressed her excitement ahead of her debut at the Olympic Games. "I am very happy to make Team Kenya. This will be my first time in an Olympic team."
Chebet admitted she hadn't planned to break the world record. “I did not come for a World record. We were just here for the Olympic Trials.”
She further stated that her push for the record was motivated by seeing world 5000m record holder Tsegay – who had initially requested a world record pace – drop off in the final strides.
“When Tsegay asked for a world record, I decided to try and go for it because my body was in great shape. I saw Tsegay drop a bit and when I got to the last two laps, I just got motivated and said, I’m on a world record pace, so let me push the last 400m,” she noted.
She further added, "This was my first 10,000m race outside the country. I am happy I was able to break the World record."
In the men's 10,000m, Daniel Mateiko clinched the title setting a world-leading time and personal best of 26:50.81.
Nicholas Kipkorir finished close behind in 26:50.94, with Bernard Kibet taking third in 26:51.09.
Mateiko and Kipkorir have made the cut for Team Kenya with the third athlete to be announced after the panel has made their decision.
Mateiko, who had been training for marathons, was surprised by his win. "I wasn't expecting to come out on top since I had been doing mostly marathon training. I changed my program in the last two weeks and I'm glad I made it," he said.
Mateiko now has his sights set on glory at the Olympics. "After my run here in Eugene, I see myself on another level. I am hungry for more and can't wait for the Olympics."
Africa's fastest man, Ferdinand Omanyala, ran his first sub-10 seconds race of the season, finishing second in 9.98 behind USA's Christian Coleman (9.95).
Omanyala said he is happy with the progress he has been making: “This season is all about progress. I am glad everything is going as per the plan and I hope to get it right during the Olympics."
In his previous races, Omanyala placed fifth at the Kip Keino Classic (10.03) and second at the Atlanta City Games (10.00), where South Africa’s Akani Simbine set a world lead time of 9.90.
World 800m champion Mary Moraa had to settle for second place after clocking 1:56.71 behind Britain’s’ Keely Hodgkinson who sealed the title in 1:55.78.
In the women's 3,000m steeplechase, world Indoor bronze medallist Beatrice Chepkoech clocked 8:56.51 for second place, trailing Uganda's Peruth Chemutai who finished in 8:55.09.