Beatrice Chebet of Kenya made history at the Prefontaine Classic in Eugene on Saturday (25) by running an astonishing time of 28:54.14 in a race that was set up as a 10,000m world record attempt. This time was seven seconds faster than Letesenbet Gidey’s previous world record of 29:01.03, set in 2021. Gudaf Tsegay also achieved a remarkable milestone by moving to third on the world all-time list with her runner-up finish in 29:05.92.
During the race, Chebet and Tsegay stayed closely behind the lights marking world record pace, with Chebet eventually pulling ahead with three laps remaining. The intensity of the race was palpable as Chebet extended her lead and pressed on towards the finish line. With 800m to go, Chebet was two strides ahead of the world record pace, causing excitement among the fans inside Hayward Field who rose to their feet.
After crossing the finish line, Chebet collapsed on the track, drained of all energy, while Tsegay followed close behind. The two women embraced in a hug as the new world record flashed on the scoreboard behind them. This historic moment marked a significant achievement for Chebet and Tsegay, as well as for women’s long-distance running in general.
With a total of nine women finishing the race in under 30 minutes, the competition at the Prefontaine Classic showcased the incredible talent and determination of
