Faith Kipyegon runs 1500m World Record
Stadio Luigi Ridolfi, Florence, Italy
On 2 June 2023 history was made when Faith Kipyegon of Kenya became the first ever woman to run 1500m in under 3:50 minutes. Her time of 3:49.11 saw the Olympic and World Champion take the title of fastest woman over 1500m from Ethiopian, Genzebe Dibaba, whose previous record of 3:50.07 has not been challenged in eight years.
The other 1500m women surrounded her and celebrated with her shortly after the race. This shows just what this astonishing time meant for the sport.
Faith who now trains with a marathon group in Kenya has added strength without reducing speed. She now joins one of only five athletes who have won at every level (U18, U20 and senior) in their track specialism and achieved a world record.
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Distance runners steal the show
As well as Faith, it was a night in general for the distance runners at the Stadio Luigi Ridolfi, as world leads were also recorded in the men’s 5000m and women’s 3000m steeplechase. Mohamed Katir (ESP) crossed the line in 12:52.09 taking the title by 0.03 in the 5000m, and it was Ethiopa’s Sembo Almayew who set a new season standard in the women’s steeplechase with a 9:00.71 victory.
Femke Bol (NLD) sets 400m hurdle meeting record
It wasn’t solely athletes running multiple laps who set new standards. The women’s 400m hurdles produced the fourth and final world lead of the meet when Femke Bol of the Netherlands strode to a 52.43 victory.
Congratulations is due to all four athletes who set season’s bests on the third edition of the 2023 Wanda Diamond League. Faith Kipyegon, however, was the uncontested star of the night. Congratulations on an astounding achievement.
Stadio Luigi Ridolphi features a World Athletics Class 1 Rekortan M track.
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