Editor's Review

Kenyan athletes Faith Kipyegon and Beatrice Chebet have received 5 million Kenyan shillings each following their world-breaking performances at Eugene, Oregon.

Kenyan athletes Faith Kipyegon and Beatrice Chebet have received 5 million Kenyan shillings each following their world-breaking performances at Eugene, Oregon. 

The Ministry of Youth Affairs, Creative Economy and Sports presented checks to the stars after they broke the 1500m and 5000m world records respectively at the Prefontaine Classic, part of the Diamond League series.

Faith Kipyegon clocked 3:48.68, a new world record, breaking the previous records of 3:49.04 in 2024 and 3:49.11 in 2023.

The win followed Kipyegon’s attempt to run a mile under four minutes at the Nike support in Paris. She fell short, clocking 4:06.42, which shattered her own personal record.

“It was tough, but I am so proud of what I’ve done, and I’m going to keep on trying, dreaming, and pursuing big goals,” Kipyegon stated. “I want to show the world, and especially women, that you have to dare to try.”

Faith Kipyegon after breaking the 1500 world record.

The Olympic 5,000m and 10,000m champion, Beatrice Chebet, became the first woman in history to run 5,000m inside 14 minutes, clocking a world record of 13:58.06, taking the record off Ethiopia’s Gudaf Tsegay. 

“When I was coming here to Eugene, I was coming to prepare to run a world record, and I said I have to try,” Chebet stated. “I said: ‘If Faith is trying, why not me?’ And today, I’m so happy because I’ve achieved being the first woman to run under 14.”