Kenya’s track royalty Beatrice Chebet and Faith Kipyegon etched their names deeper into the annals of athletic greatness after delivering incredible performances at the Prefontaine Classic, Eugene. The world watched in awe as both athletes, already known for their dominance in long and middle-distance races, redefined the limits of human endurance and speed.
Beatrice Chebet stunned the world in the women’s 5,000 metres, becoming the first woman in history to break the 14-minute barrier. She crossed the finish line in 13 minutes 58.06 seconds, erasing the previous world record of 14 minutes 00.21 seconds set by Ethiopia’s Gudaf Tsegay in 2023 at the same venue. From the start, the race unfolded at a blistering pace.
How Beatrice Chebet and Faith Kipyegon Did It
Pacemakers led the opening kilometre in 2:47.07 and hit the 2,000-metre mark in 5:35.37. Chebet stayed tucked behind the leaders, conserving energy and looking composed. As the race progressed past the 3,000-metre mark, clocked at 8:22.96, Chebet was already more than a second ahead of record pace. Despite a slight easing of pace between 3,000 and 4,000 metres, she retained her composure.
In the final lap, she exploded with a devastating kick that left her rivals in her wake and sent the stadium into raptures. The sight of her punching the air as she crossed the line confirmed the momentousness of her achievement.
This was not merely a case of peaking on the right day. Chebet, aged 25, had hinted at this capability a month earlier when she ran 14:03.69 in Rome. That performance, then the third-fastest time ever recorded, had placed her on a collision course with history.
Moreover, she already held the world record for the 10,000 metres, having run a staggering 28:54.14 the previous year. But even so, to breach the 14-minute barrier in a race known for tactical nuance and mental strength was a feat that elevated her to another realm. Speaking after the race, she said, “I’m so happy to become the first woman to run under 14 minutes. After Rome, I knew I was capable of breaking the world record.”
Not long after Chebet’s fireworks, Faith Kipyegon took to the track in the women’s 1,500 metres and delivered a masterpiece of her own. Already a living legend in middle-distance running, Kipyegon improved her own world record, lowering the time from 3 minutes 49.04 seconds to 3 minutes 48.68 seconds.
Her previous record had been set just a year earlier in Paris, and few imagined it could be bettered so soon. Yet in Eugene, Kipyegon seemed determined to push the limits of possibility. From the start, she seized control of the race, running confidently and gracefully.
As the laps wore on, her long strides and poise seemed almost untouchable. The final lap saw her accelerate with her signature long kick, maintaining remarkable form and composure all the way to the finish. Behind her, Ethiopia’s Diribe Welteji and Australia’s Jessica Hull followed in second and third, respectively, but this was Faith’s race, Faith’s night, Faith’s record.
At 31, Kipyegon continues to astonish the world with her ability to reinvent and outdo herself. A three-time Olympic gold medalist in the 1,500 metres, she has been the queen of this distance for nearly a decade. She also holds the world record in the mile, having clocked 4:07.64 previously, and recently ran the fastest ever women’s mile in Paris in an unofficial attempt to break the 4-minute barrier.
That performance, 4:06.42, further proved her unbelievable range and versatility. Yet even with all that success, this latest feat felt particularly special, coming in a season where she has continued to push against history’s boundaries. In her post-race remarks, Kipyegon expressed gratitude to her competitors for pushing her to greatness, saying, “The ladies are pushing me… it feels so great that they are pushing me as well to break records.”
How Kenyans Reacted To Beatrice Chebet and Faith Kipyegon Breaking World Records
Back home in Kenya, the reactions to these victories were euphoric. President William Ruto led the tributes, hailing both athletes as beacons of national pride and a reflection of what Kenyan talent, discipline, and resilience can achieve. In his statement, he says the accomplishments of Chebet and Kipyegon were a clear symbol of the global leadership Kenya commands in athletics.
Former Sports Cabinet Secretary Ababu Namwamba described the day as historic and emphasised that it reinforced the need for increased investment in youth talent and athletic infrastructure. Kenya’s Olympic Committee chair, Paul Tergat, a former world record holder himself, praised the duo for inspiring future generations of Kenyan athletes. He remarked that what Chebet and Kipyegon had done was not just about medals and records—it was about legacy and the power of belief.
Online, the mood was electric. Hashtags for Beatrice Chebet and Faith Kipyegon trended across Kenyan and international platforms. Citizens, journalists, celebrities, and athletes alike poured out messages of admiration. Many noted that this was a pivotal moment for Kenyan sport, showing that amidst political tensions and economic challenges, Kenyans could still unite in pride through the feats of their athletes. Several fan posters even described July 5, 2025, as the new national athletics day.
Beyond the emotional impact, the sheer athletic significance of these performances cannot be overstated. Chebet’s sub-14 clocking did more than just break a record—it obliterated a psychological barrier that had stood for decades. Many had speculated that it would take several more years before a woman could dip under 14 minutes. But she did it, and emphatically so. Meanwhile, Kipyegon’s fifth world record in a Diamond League meeting over just three seasons continues to build a case for her being the greatest female middle-distance runner of all time.
Together, their achievements also mark a continued resurgence of Kenyan athletics dominance. After a few seasons marred by doping scandals and inconsistent performances by some athletes, the headlines have now been reclaimed by excellence, grit, and clean sport. Their success also places Kenya at the center of the build-up to the upcoming global championships and the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, where both women are now odds-on favorites to win gold.
It is also worth noting the extraordinary consistency that both Beatrice Chebet and Faith Kipyegon have demonstrated. Chebet has emerged as the natural heir to Kenya’s long-distance royalty, while Kipyegon continues to redefine what peak performance at 30-plus years of age can look like. Their training regimes, mental fortitude, and tactical genius are testaments not just to talent but to meticulous preparation and hunger.
What Next For Beatrice Chebet and Faith Kipyegon
As the dust settles on Eugene and the global media continues to replay the historic footage, Kenyans everywhere are basking in the glory of Beatrice Chebet and Faith Kipyegon who continue to defy limits. In a sport defined by milliseconds and meters, what Chebet and Kipyegon accomplished transcends time. They didn’t just win races—they reshaped what future generations will consider possible. Their stories are no longer just about records—they are about legacy, leadership, and what it means to wear the Kenyan jersey on the world stage.
In a world full of fleeting moments, the Eugene double stands out as one to be remembered forever. And for a country long defined by its excellence in distance running, these two champions have once again reminded the world that when it comes to pushing the human body to its limits, the heart of Kenya still beats strongest.
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