Kenya’s Beatrice Chebert ran in a time of 28:54.14 to make history at the Prefontaine Classic in Eugene to become the first woman ever to break 29 minutes on the track.

Subsequently securing her spot in the upcoming 2024 Paris Olympic Summer Games where she will be doubling in 5000m and 10000m events.

The time is an astounding seven seconds faster than Letesenbet Gidey’s previous world record of 29:01.03, set in 2021. 

Ethiopian middle- and long-distance runner Gudaf Tsegay moved to third on the world all-time list with her runner-up finish of 29:05.92, as well. In all, nine women ran faster than 30 minutes. At the start of the day, there had only been 22 performances under 30 minutes in history.

With 800m to go, Chebet pulled ahead of the lights by two whole strides as fans inside Hayward Field began standing in their seats.

After the finish, Chebet fell to the track, splayed out in exhaustion, as Tsegay finished and joined her on the track. When the women stood, they hugged as the new world record flashed on the scoreboard behind them.

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