Faith Kipyegon/ FILE
Despite suffering a rare defeat at Saturday's Prefontaine Classic in the women's Mile, foru-time world 1,500m champion Faith Kipyegon remained upbeat, insisting she was pleased with her performance as she continues building momentum for the season.
Competing at the iconic Hayward Field in Eugene, Kipyegon settled for third place in the women's Mile after clocking 4:17.80.
American Nikki Hiltz produced a stunning late surge to upset the three-time Olympic 1,500m champion, storming to victory in 4:17.49.
World 1,500m silver medallist Dorcus Ewoi claimed second place in 4:17.62.
The result marked a rare setback for Kipyegon, who had been unbeaten over the Mile since making her debut at the distance in 2015.
The 32-year-old also holds the world Mile record of 4:07.64, set at the 2023 Monaco Diamond League.
Despite missing out on victory, Kipyegon was satisfied with her outing.
"The race was good. I'm happy that I've competed healthy. I am also happy to have done my first middle-distance race of the year," Kipyegon said after the race.
"My first race of the year was a 5,000m in Shanghai."
The Prefontaine Classic marked Kipyegon's second Diamond League appearance of the season after opening her campaign in Shanghai on May 16.
In Shanghai, she cruised to victory in the 5,000m in 14:24.14, finishing ahead of Ethiopia's Likina Amebaw (14:24.21) and Senayet Getachew (14:24.71).
Before that, Kipyegon had launched her 2026 campaign on the roads, storming to her maiden 10km victory at the Monaco Run in 29:47.
While the defeat brought an end to an unbeaten streak over the Mile, Kipyegon embraced the outcome, acknowledging the unforgiving nature of elite competition.
"This is sports and we accept the outcome. It's a little tough, I just wanted to follow the ladies. That is why I am not going crazy.
"I thank God I managed to run good today," she said.
Kipyegon had arrived at Hayward Field chasing a record-extending eighth Prefontaine Classic title.
Her love affair with the Eugene track stretches back to 2013 when she made her Prefontaine Classic debut, finishing second in the 1,500m in 4:01.08 behind compatriot Hellen Obiri, who won in 3:58.58.
A year later, Kipyegon returned to finish third in 3:58.01, with Obiri once again taking top honours in 3:57.05, while Sweden's Abeba Aregawi was second in 3:57.57.
At the 2015 Prefontaine Classic, Kipyegon stepped up to the 5,000m and delivered another impressive display, finishing runner-up in 14:31.95 behind Ethiopia's Genzebe Dibaba, who triumphed in 14:19.76.
Her long-awaited breakthrough at Hayward Field finally arrived in 2016 when she stormed to her maiden Prefontaine Classic crown, powering to victory in the 1,500m in 3:56.41 ahead of Ethiopia's Dawit Seyaum (3:58.10) and Gudaf Tsegay (4:00.18).
That triumph sparked an extraordinary reign of dominance, with Kipyegon going unbeaten every time she returned to Hayward Field.
Her glittering run included victories in 2017 (3:59.67), 2019 (3:59.04), 2021 (3:53.23), 2022 (3:52.59) and 2023 (3:50.72).
Last year, she delivered yet another Hayward Field masterpiece, obliterating her own world record in the 1,500m by clocking a breathtaking 3:48.68 to become the first woman in history to shatter the 3:49 barrier.
