Kenya's Beatrice Chebet made history at the Prefontaine Classic meet in Eugene, Oregon, setting a new world record in the 10,000 meters event. Chebet crossed the finish line in an impressive time of 28 minutes and 54.14 seconds, surpassing the previous record set by Ethiopia's Letesenbet Gidey.
Chebet's remarkable performance saw her outpace Gudaf Tsegay of Ethiopia, who finished in 29:05.92. The race took place under cloudy and cool conditions at Eugene's Hayward Field, providing a challenging yet conducive environment for the athletes.
With three laps to go, Chebet began to pull away from her competitors, showcasing her strength and determination. Reflecting on her race, Chebet expressed satisfaction with how her body responded and her overall comfort during the run.
This achievement marked Chebet's first 10,000-meter race since 2020 in Nairobi. The 24-year-old athlete had previously clinched silver and bronze medals in the 5,000 meters event at world championships held at Hayward Field and Budapest, respectively.
Following her record-breaking performance, Chebet secured a spot in the upcoming Olympics in Paris. She expressed her intention to compete in both the 5,000 and 10,000 meters events, emphasizing her focus on the 5,000 meters initially before shifting her attention to the 10,000 meters.
The Prefontaine Classic, part of the international Diamond League series, served as the sole American stop for elite track and field athletes, further highlighting Chebet's exceptional achievement on the global stage.
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