World champion champion Beatrice Chebet concluded her year on a triumphant note, shattering the women’s world 5km record with a remarkable time of 14:13 at the Cursa dels Nassos in Barcelona on Sunday.
The 23-year-old surpassed the previous women-only world record of 14:29 set by Ethiopia’s Senbere Teferi in September 2021 and even outpaced the mixed race world record of 14:19, achieved by Ethiopia’s Ejegayehu Taye at the same event in 2021.
In a highly competitive field featuring top performers from the World Athletics Road Running Championships Riga 23, Chebet led the charge, with Taye finishing second in 14:21 and Lilian Kasait Rengeruk securing third place in 14:26. All three athletes dipped below the previous women-only world record.
Medalists from the World Athletics Road Running Championships Riga 23, including Uganda’s Joy Cheptoyek, also displayed impressive performances, with Cheptoyek finishing fourth in 14:28. Ethiopia’s 18-year-old Medina Eisa set a new benchmark as the fastest U20 athlete with a time of 14:40.
In the men’s race, Switzerland’s Dominic Lobalu claimed victory with a time of 13:12, six seconds ahead of Kenya’s Mathew Kipkoech Kipruto. The race unfolded under favorable weather conditions, with the women’s event being paced by Ethiopian athlete Kassie Wubrist Aschal.
The race’s opening kilometers hinted at a potential world record challenge, with a swift 2:49 first kilometer. However, the pacemaker left her duties, and the pace became unpredictable. Chebet, Rengeruk, and Taye took turns attempting to maintain record pace, setting a thrilling stage for the final showdown.
Chebet’s closing meters were spectacular, as she accelerated, leaving her competitors behind and crossing the finish line unopposed in 14:13. Taye claimed second place in 14:21, and Rengeruk secured the third spot with a lifetime best of 14:26.
Chebet expressed her disbelief, stating, “I came to Barcelona determined to better the world record as I felt capable of that. This world record means a lot for me; I can’t believe it.”
Results
Women
1 Beatrice Chebet (KEN) 14:13
2 Ejegayehu Taye (ETH) 14:21
3 Lilian Kasait Rengeruk (KEN) 14:26
4 Joy Cheptoyek (UGA) 14:28
5 Medina Eisa (ETH) 14:40
Men
1 Dominic Lobalu (SUI) 13:12
2 Mathew Kipkoech Kipruto (KEN) 13:18
3 Abdessamad Oukhelfen (ESP) 13:27
4 Mohamed Abdilaahi (GER) 13:32
5 Flavien Szot (FRA) 13:37
