Beatrice Chebet rewrites history, smashes women's 10,000m world record

Despite her impressive track record as a two-time world championships medallist in the 5,000m event and a cross-country world champion, Beatrice Chebet had never ventured beyond Kenya to compete in a 10,000m race. Thus, it's no surprise that in the Prefontaine Classic, her first foray into elite competition at this distance, she had no grand ambitions of breaking a world record.  

All eyes were on Ethiopia's Gudaf Tsegay, the hot favorite to etch her name in the history books after her remarkable feat of shattering the 5,000m world record during the Diamond League finals in September.

Yet, when the dust settled, Chebet not only kept pace with Tsegay but surpassed her, ultimately clinching victory and obliterating the women's 10,000m world record with a sensational time of 28 minutes and 54.14 seconds. In doing so, she became the first woman to break the 29-minute barrier in this event, beating the previous record set by Ethiopian athlete Letesenbet Gidey in 2021, which stood at 29:01.03.

Chebet, an accomplished athlete who previously secured the silver medal in the 5,000m event at the world championships in Eugene in 2022, as well as the bronze medal in Budapest last year, strategically positioned herself alongside Tsegay throughout most of the race. With impeccable timing, she unleashed her final burst of energy on the 22nd lap out of the total 25, effortlessly distancing herself from the competition with grace, particularly on the final lap.  

Tsegay finished second in a time of 29:05.92, which stands as the third-fastest time ever recorded in the event. Chebet, who draws inspiration from the last two laps, mentioned, "When I approach the final stretch, I find a renewed sense of motivation, urging me to give it my all in the last 400 meters."  

Following her victory in the race, which served as Kenya's Olympic qualifier, Chebet has firmly established herself as a leading contender for the gold medal at the upcoming Paris Olympics. She expressed her ambition to pursue a remarkable double in the 5,000m and 10,000m events at the showpiece event. "For me, I am happy, to be the first time on the Olympic team," she declared. "With good health, I know I am going to win a medal at the Olympics."