Beatrice Chebet has made history, becoming the first woman ever to run under 14 minutes in the 5000m, clocking a sensational 13:58.06 at the 2025 Prefontaine Classic in Eugene, Oregon.
In a stunning display of speed and endurance on Saturday, July 6, 2025, Chebet shattered the previous world record of 14:00.21 set by Ethiopia’s Gudaf Tsegay in 2023. The Kenyan star crossed the line visibly shocked by her achievement, as the Hayward Field crowd erupted in celebration.
Chebet’s time marks the first time a woman has broken the 14-minute barrier on the track for the 5000m—an accomplishment long considered the final frontier in women’s long-distance running.
“WORLD RECORD!!!! 13:58.06 in the 5000m!!!! 😱😱 What have you just done, Beatrice Chebet?” World Athletics wrote on X (formerly Twitter) moments after the race.
Blistering Pace From the Start
Chebet, alongside Tsegay and fellow Kenyan Agnes Jebet Ngetich, went out fast from the gun. The trio passed 1000m in 2:47.07, with the second pacemaker guiding them through 2000m in 5:35.37 before stepping aside.
At 3000m, Chebet split 8:22.96, placing herself ahead of world record pace. The tempo dipped slightly over the next kilometre (4000m in 11:14.12), but Chebet had timed her effort perfectly.
With 200 metres to go, she unleashed a blistering kick, pulling away from Tsegay and Ngetich. Tsegay faded, and Ngetich moved into second, but Chebet was already rewriting the history books.
She crossed the finish in 13:58.06, shaving 2.15 seconds off the previous world record. Ngetich’s runner-up time of 14:01.29 is now the third-fastest mark in women’s 5000m history, while Tsegay settled for third in 14:04.41.
“I Knew I Could Do It” — Chebet’s Moment of Glory
I’m so happy to become the first woman to run under 14 minutes,” Chebet said after the race.
“After Rome [14:03.69], I knew I was capable of a world record. I told myself, ‘If Faith [Kipyegon] is trying for a world record in Eugene, why not me too?’”
Kenya Dominates with 1–2 Finish
Agnes Ngetich, also of Kenya, claimed second place with a blistering personal best of 14:01.29—a time that also surpassed the previous world record. However, on this historic night, it was only good enough for silver.
Their remarkable 1–2 finish underlines Kenya’s current dominance in women’s distance running and sets the stage for what could be a thrilling showdown at the 2025 World Athletics Championships and Paris Olympics.
Historic Run on Historic Track
The Prefontaine Classic, part of the Diamond League series, is known for producing fast times and this edition did not disappoint. With ideal weather conditions and elite pacing, the women’s 5000m final lived up to the hype, and then some.
A New Chapter in Kenyan Dominance
The Prefontaine Classic continues to be a golden stage for Kenyan athletes. In May 2024, Chebet also broke the 10,000m world record at Hayward Field with a time of 28:54.14, becoming the first woman ever to go under 29 minutes in the event.
About Beatrice Chebet
Chebet has been one of Kenya’s brightest stars in recent years, winning the World Cross Country Championships in 2023 and consistently medaling on the Diamond League circuit. But her performance at the Prefontaine Classic has catapulted her into legend status.
This world record adds to her growing list of accolades and places her alongside the greats of the sport—Paula Radcliffe, Tirunesh Dibaba, and Letesenbet Gidey who have all redefined limits in distance running.
Her record-breaking 5000m on Saturday adds to an already historic résumé:
- 2024 Paris Olympic gold in both 5000m and 10,000m
- World champion
- World records in both 5000m and 10,000m
- First woman ever to run sub-14 and sub-29 in the 5000m and 10,000m
This era now firmly belongs to Chebet, who is redefining what is possible in women’s distance running.
Chebet, 24, delivered the performance of her life in what was expected to be a fast field. She stuck close to the pacemakers through the early stages before accelerating over the final kilometer, leaving a trail of elite athletes in her wake.
The Hayward Field crowd witnessed history, with many calling Chebet’s performance one of the greatest runs ever seen on the iconic track.
