Kenya’s Beatrice Chebet shattered the world record in the 10,000 meter event during the Prefontaine Classic meet on Saturday, clocking in at an astonishing 28 minutes and 54.14 seconds.
Chebet’s remarkable performance surpassed the previous record of 29:01.03, set by Ethiopia’s Letesenbet Gidey at FBK Stadium in the Netherlands on June 8, 2021.
The Kenyan athlete clinched victory ahead of Ethiopia’s Gudaf Tsegay, who finished in 29:05.92, amidst cloudy and cool conditions at Eugene’s Hayward Field.
Taking control of the race with three laps remaining, Chebet unleashed a remarkable burst of energy in the final lap.
“My body was responding good and I felt strong,” she remarked. “I felt like I was very comfortable.”
This marked her first 10,000-meter race since 2020 in Nairobi.
At 24 years old, Chebet previously secured the silver medal in the 5,000 meters event at the world championships held at Hayward Field in 2022. She also claimed the bronze in the same event at the worlds in Budapest last year.
Her impressive performance at the Prefontaine Classic has secured her qualification for her debut appearance at the Olympics this summer in Paris. Chebet expressed her ambition to compete in both the 5,000 and 10,000-meter events.
“But my target is to run 5,000 first, then 10,000 comes second,” she stated. “Because this is my first 10,000 outside the country to run, and I’m so happy to run 28, a world record.”
The Prefontaine Classic serves as the sole American leg of the international Diamond League series.
