Agnes Jebet Ngetich produced a historic performance at the Monaco Diamond League, storming to victory in the women’s 3000m in a world-leading 8:08.95 to cement her place among the greatest distance runners in history.
Making her first track appearance of the season, the Kenyan delivered a commanding display that propelled her to third on the women’s 3,000m all-time list. Her time is the third-fastest ever recorded over the distance, leaving her less than three seconds shy of Wang Junxia’s long-standing world record.
Ngetich crossed the finish line well clear of the field, with Ethiopia’s Baweke Aleshign taking second in 8:23.81 and compatriot Getachew Senayet finishing third in 8:24.02. World champion Faith Kipyegon placed fourth in 8:24.21, while Ethiopia’s Hailu Freweyni (8:25.77), Mebratu Aynadis (8:27.15), and Alem Mizan (8:27.99) completed the top seven.
The victory carried added significance for Ngetich, who has long regarded Kipyegon as her greatest inspiration. In a previous interview, she revealed that watching the multiple Olympic champion compete in 2016 sparked her own athletics journey.
“I watched her in 2016 when I was in Grade 7. Faith inspires me a lot. Competing with her in one race is something special. She is the queen,” Ngetich said.
Just over a year after making those remarks, the rising Kenyan star has achieved what once seemed a dream—sharing the track with her idol and emerging victorious.
The Monaco triumph adds another milestone to what has been a remarkable 2026 season. Ngetich opened the year by dominating the senior women’s race at the World Cross Country Championships, winning the 10km title in 31:28 by an astonishing 42-second margin. She followed that with victory at the Sirikwa Classic Cross Country Tour Gold meeting in Eldoret, clocking 32:28.
Her road-running form has been equally impressive. In April, she ran 28:58 at the Urban Trail de Lille, the third-fastest women’s 10km time in history, before setting another course record at the prestigious NY Mini 10-K in June, winning in 30:07.
With her stunning victory in Monaco, Ngetich has not only announced herself as one of the world’s premier distance runners but also reinforced Kenya’s dominance on the global athletics stage as she continues her pursuit of even greater milestones.
