Chebet, World Cross Country Champion, Takes Lead With Three Laps Left And Runs To Historic First Sub-29 At Prefontaine Classic

By Keenan Gray of DyeStat

John Nepolitan photos

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EUGENE – No woman in history had ever run faster than 29 minutes in the 10,000 meters on the track.

That was before Saturday. Now there is one: Kenyan Beatrice Chebet. 

The World cross country champion made a definitive move with three laps to go against 5,000-meter world record holder Gudaf Tsegay of Ethiopia and sped off to a world record time of 28:54.14 at the Prefontaine Classic at Hayward Field.

The world record belonged to Letesenbet Gidey of Ethiopia, who ran 29:01.03 in Hengelo, The Netherlands in 2021.

In the buildup to Pre, it was Tsegay that declared she wanted a crack at the record. After all, she broke the 5,000 world record last fall at Hayward Field when the Prefontaine Classic was also the Diamond League final.

With the world’s eyes on the Ethiopian star, almost everyone forgot about the incredibly talented Kenyan field assembled to compete in a trials format for spot on their Olympic team. 

“When Gudaf (Tsegay) asked for a world record, for me, I decided to say, ‘let me try to go with that,’” Chebet said. “To see how the body is because I feel my body was not too bad. And I see I was capable to win a world record.”

To say Chebet was the only one with career-defining moment for would be an understatement. Several other women ran lifetime best efforts, including three of them running below 30 minutes.

Tsegay elevated to No. 3 all-time after running 29:05.92 for second place, with Kenyans Lilian Kasait Rengeruk and Margaret Chelimo Kipkemboi also rising to No. 6 and 7 after running 29:26.89 and 29:27.59 for third and fourth place, respectively. 

It took a top-seven all-time performance just to make the Kenyan Olympic team. 

Once the pacers dropped after three kilometers, Tsegay took charge, with Chebet, Rengeruk and Kipkemboi on her heals for the next 5 kilometers.

Through 5,000, the lead group was on world record pace, clocking 14:31.08.

As laps began to dwindle, Tsegay and Chebet created separation from Renegeruk and Kipkemboi, continuing to run consecutive 68-69 second splits.

Heading into the turn with 1,200 meters to go, Tsegay showed signs of fatigue. 

“When I saw (Tsegay) dropped, I got motivated and said, ‘let me go and try for the record too,’,” Chebet said. 

Chebet’s lead increased by as much as 50 meters heading through the final kilometer. Tsegay was well out of contention.

Upon reaching the final lap, the Hayward crowd rose to its feet. Sensing the excitement of something great happening, it was a prolonged ovation over the final 400 meters, with Chebet closing in 63.63 seconds for the world record.

“I’m happy for it being the first time on the Olympic team,” Chebet said. “I know with good health, I can medal and that will be my favorite medal in the Olympics.”

Following this act was tough, but the Kenyan men delivered a classic of their own in their Olympic trials race.

Down to the very end, four men were within striking distances for the three Olympic spots in the home straightaway, with all four being separated by a second across the finishing tape.

Daniel Mateiko ran across the line first in a world-leading 26:50.81, Nicholas Kipkorir followed in 26:50.94 and Bernard Kibet snagged the third spot in 26:51.09.

"This is actually a big motivation for me," Mateiko said. "From now I see myself in another level and I'm hungry for more. It's all about the confidence that I have, I believe in myself that I can do it that is why I was able to stay with the the light until then. We have a good coaches and also the good management. We are doing a good program towards this trial. The program was perfect. I'm so very, very happy for this win." 

Edwin Kurgat was almost a half-second behind Kibet to finish fourth in 26:51.54, just missing the Olympic team by a stride.