Kenya’s long-distance runner, Beatrice Chebet has set a new world record of 28:54.14 in the women’s 10,000 metres at the Prefontaine Classic at Hayward Field in Eugene, Oregon.
Chebet’s feat overshadowed the previous record held by Ethiopia’s Letesenbet Gidey since 2021 and she became the first woman to run under 28 minutes in the 10km event.
Ethiopia’s Gudaf Tsegay came second in the race, becoming the third-fastest woman in the 10km event with a time of 29:05.92. Lilian Kasait Rengeruk was the second-fastest Kenyan in the race in 29:26.89.
The 10km race in Eugene also served as a qualifier for Athletics Kenya to pick the country’s representatives for the Paris 2024 Olympics.
Chebet and Rengeruk sealed the women’s tickets for the 10km event and a third representative will be picked based on merit by a panel set by the country’s athletics body.
Chebet, at the end of the historic race, disclosed that she intended to qualify for Paris in her second outing in the 10,000m and not to shatter the previous record.
The 24-year-old is a two-time world cross-country champion, and she dominantly competes in the women’s 5000m where she has won gold in the Diamond League, African Championships and the Commonwealth Games.
