- Kenyan runner Beatrice Chebet shattered the women’s 10,000m world record with a remarkable time of 28 minutes and 54.14 seconds at the Prefontaine Classic Diamond League athletics meeting
- Her feat now makes her the first black woman in history to break 29 minutes on the track
- Chebet’s historic achievement solidifies her status as a frontrunner for Olympic gold
Beatrice Chebet, the 24-year-old Kenyan long-distance runner, made history at the Prefontaine Classic Diamond League athletics meeting on Saturday by shattering the women’s 10,000m world record.
Clocking an extraordinary time of 28 minutes and 54.14 seconds, Chebet surpassed the previous record of 29:01.03 set by Ethiopia’s Letesenbet Gidey in June 2021.
Chebet, already renowned for her achievements with two world championships medals in the 5,000m and a cross-country world champion title, showcased her exceptional talent once again on the track.
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Her record-breaking feat occurred during a race designated as Kenya’s Olympic qualifier, immediately positioning her as a frontrunner for the gold medal at the upcoming Paris Olympics in August.
The favorable weather conditions at Hayward Field, with mild overcast skies, provided an ideal setting for the historic race.
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Chebet capitalized on the enthusiastic support of the crowd, the assistance of three pacemakers in the first half, and the innovative “wavelight” pace-setting technology implemented at the venue.
These factors converged to enable Chebet to achieve the remarkable milestone of becoming the first woman to break the 29-minute barrier in the 10,000m event.
Although the race was not part of the official Diamond League program, it had been anticipated as a world record attempt by Ethiopia’s Gudaf Tsegay, who had previously shattered the 5,000m world record at the same venue during the Diamond League finals in September.
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Despite Tsegay’s formidable reputation, Chebet’s strategic pacing and well-timed move to the front secured her victory. Tsegay finished second with a commendable time of 29:05.92, marking the third-fastest time ever recorded in the 10,000m event.
Chebet’s triumph not only solidifies her position as a dominant force in long-distance running but also sets the stage for an exhilarating showdown at the Paris Olympics.
As the athletics world eagerly anticipates the events in August, Chebet’s record-breaking performance in Eugene will be remembered as a watershed moment in her career and a significant milestone in the annals of women’s track and field.
