Senbere Teferi breaks world record at Adizero Road to Records

Ethiopia’s Senbere Teferi shattered the world record in the 5K at the Adizero Road to Records running festival in Germany on Sunday, September 12. Senbere broke both the women’s-only record of 14:44, set by Sifan Hassan, and the outright world record of 14:43, run by Beatrice Chepkoech earlier this year.
Senbere clocked 14:29 in a mostly solo effort on the roads surrounding Adidas headquarters. Teferi’s time broke the previous record of 14:43 set by Beatrice Chepkoech in February at the 2021 Monaco Run, and the women’s-only world record of 14:44 set by Sifan Hassan in 2019. She also beat the fastest 5K in history—14:32 set by Joyciline Jepkosgei—before the distance became an official world record event.
The 26-year-old from Ethiopia ran with the field through the first kilometer in 2:57. She pulled away from her competitors around four minutes into the race and continued to distance herself, splitting 5:46 for the first two kilometers. By 4K (11:37), Teferi established a significant gap up front and ultimately reached the finish line 25 seconds ahead of runner-up Melknat Wudu.
Teferi finished sixth in the 5,000 meters in Tokyo, her second appearance at the Olympics. “After the Olympics, I knew I was ready to get this world record but today I did it,” the world championship silver medalist said on the race broadcast. “I’m very happy.”