Kenya’s Olympic superstar Faith Kipyegon has rewritten the record books once again, smashing her own 1,500m world record with a breathtaking 3:48.68 performance at the Diamond League meeting in Eugene, Oregon, on Saturday.
The reigning three-time Olympic champion sliced nearly half a second off her previous world best of 3:49.04, which she had set in Paris on July 7, 2024. This latest record, achieved in her season debut over the 1,500m, solidifies Kipyegon’s dominance in middle-distance running and positions her as the clear favourite ahead of the World Championships in Tokyo this September.
Speaking after the race, the 31-year-old Kenyan said her preparation for last month’s historic attempt to break the four-minute barrier in the mile laid the foundation for Saturday’s triumph.
I was preparing myself for something special, which was to run under four minutes in a mile, and I think I pushed myself, getting better and better toward the 1,500,” she explained. “So I knew it was possible to still run under 3:49.”
That earlier attempt in Paris — dubbed “Breaking 4” — included cutting-edge support, including a custom racing suit and Nike’s Victory Elite FK spikes. While the sub-four-minute goal proved elusive, Kipyegon’s near-miss was a springboard for Saturday’s historic run.
Saturday’s race featured stiff competition. Ethiopia’s Diribe Welteji clocked 3:51.44 to take second, while Jessica Hull of Australia — who claimed Olympic silver in 2024 — was third in 3:52.67 after keeping pace with Kipyegon for most of the race.
For someone to show up and just keep doing it over and over again, she’s phenomenal,” Hull said. “She was aware that I was going to be there this time, so she put her foot down and made it really hard for that last 500 meters.”
Kipyegon’s Eugene victory not only reinforces her status as the greatest 1,500m runner of all time, but also raises anticipation over whether she will attempt a 1,500m/5,000m double in Tokyo, a feat she has yet to commit to.
This is the road to Tokyo,” she said. “And I would say I am in the right direction.”
The world will now watch to see what the queen of the track conquers next.
