Ethiopia’s Gudaf Tsegay smashed the women’s 5,000 meters world record with a run of 14 minutes 00.21 seconds on Sunday at the Eugene Diamond League finale, breaking Kenyan Faith Kipyegon’s previous mark set in June.
Kenyan Beatrice Chebet finished second in 14:05.92 while Ethiopia’s Ejgayehu Taye was third in 14:21.52.
Gudaf set a blistering pace from the start and was pushed by Chebet as the two rivals pulled away from the chasing pack.
She broke away from Chebet, who finished third in the distance at the Budapest World Championships, with about 800 meters to go, with the fans at Hayward Field on their feet as she raced against the clock.
The Tokyo bronze medalist was well ahead of the rest of the field as she powered through the final stretch, gritting her teeth with Kipyegon’s mark within reach.
The crowd erupted with joy as she broke the tape at the same track where she collected world championship gold in the distance last year, and she offered a subdued celebration.
Tsegay, who won the 10,000 meters at the world championships in Budapest, collapsed to the track in sheer exhaustion before going to the stands to sign autographs. The 26 year old vowed to try to go under 14 minute’s next-year.
The Prefontaine Classic normally run in late May was this year’s final stop on international Diamond League circuit. The 32 champions crowned during the two day meeting earned $30000 apiece. It was the last major international track and field competition before the athletes begin gearing up for the Paris Olympics next summer.
