IAAF Ratifies Both of Celliphine Chespol's Improvements on 3,000-Meter Steeplechase World U20 Record

By Adam Kopet

The IAAF announced Friday that it has ratified both of Celliphine Chespol's improvements on the world U20 3,000-meter steeplechase record this year.

The 18-year old from Kenya finished fourth at the Doha Diamond League meeting, running 9:05.70. Less than a month later, Chespol improved on that mark, running 8:58.78 to take first at the Prefontaine Classic.

The latter is also an African senior record and the second-best time in the world this year.

Between Doha and the Prefontaine Classic, Chespol ran 9:07.08 for third at the Shanghai Diamond League meeting.

The previous record was 9:20.37, set by Birtukan Adamu of Ethiopia in 2011. In all, Chespol ran under the old record six times in 2017.

Chespol went on to finish sixth at the IAAF World Outdoor Championships 3,000 steeplechase.