Faith Kipyegon destroyed the mile world record in the Monaco Diamond League meeting. She clocked 4:07.64 to break the record by nearly five full seconds. This record marks her third world record in just over a month. Kipyegon led numerous other athletes to break national and area records, with eight women breaking 4:20.
The first two laps were paced nearly perfectly. Kipyegon got in line right behind the pacemakers just after 200 meters and never let up.
Kristie Schoeffield took Kipyegon through 800 meters in a near perfect split of 2:04.10. Then, Winnie Nanyondo took over through 1,000 meters and kept the pace even before stepping off.
Once Kipyegon was on her own, it seemed inevitable that the world record would be gone moments later. She started to pick up the pace and split a 3:06.66 through 1200 meters.
Once that last lap came up, Kipyegon tore the track apart. She continued to speed up throughout that final lap, leading to her blistering new world record of 4:07.64. This close is ultimately what gave her that fabulous new world record, as she clocked the final lap in right around 60 seconds. Even without other athletes there to push her, Kipyegon just found a way to push even harder.
Faith Kipyegon is proving to be one of the greatest track and field athletes to ever compete.
This race marks her third world record in a little over a month. On June 2, she broke the 1500m world record with a 3:49.11. Then, on June 9, she followed that performance with a 14:05.20 world record in the 5,000m. Just over a month later, she makes it a triple crown with her 1-mile world record of 4:07.64.
These records only further strengthen Kipyegon’s resume as the greatest miler of all time. She is a two-time Olympic Champion as well as a two-time World Champion. Her championship racing is just as exceptional as her raw speed is over these world record efforts.
She is proving to be one of the greatest athletes to ever compete in the sport. It seems as though Kipyegon completely decimates the bounds for what was thought to be possible almost every time that she races. It is simply remarkable to have a front-row seat to witness her greatness.
Kipyegon was not the only athlete who broke records, as six other athletes broke national or area records.
Ciara Mageen took nearly five seconds off her personal best to place second in the field. Her 4:14.58 took down the Irish national record and makes her a clear threat for that podium in Budapest.
The World Indoor silver medalist, Freweyni Hailu, took third in a season’s best time of 4:14.79. Just behind her, Olympic Medalist Laura Muir broke the British Record in 4:15.24 for fourth. Australian Jessica Hull broke the Oceania Record with her 4:15.34 for fifth.
The American Nikki Hiltz took down the long-standing American Record in 4:16.35 to take sixth in the field. The previous American record had stood since 1985. The US Champion is continuing to show that they can compete on the world stage. Hiltz is proving more and more that they could be a medal threat in the World Championships this August.
If anything is taken from this race, it is that there is an all-time great cast of women set to race the 1500m in the World Championships this August. There is sure to be plenty more of ‘can’t miss’ racing on deck.
Stay tuned for further professional Track & Field content, including meet previews, race analysis, and season projections.
Featured image courtesy of Soňa Maléterová for @MeetingHerculis.
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