2023 Prefontaine Classic

Faith Kipyegon Cruises To Women's 1500m Meet Record At Prefointaine Classic

Faith Kipyegon Cruises To Women's 1500m Meet Record At Prefointaine Classic

Faith Kipyegon of Kenya stormed to victory in a meet-record 3:50.71 in the women's 1500m at the Diamond League Prefontaine Classic at Hayward Field.

Sep 16, 2023 by Joe Battaglia
Faith Kipyegon Cruises To Women's 1500m Meet Record At Prefointaine Classic

EUGENE -- Faith Kipyegon of Kenya stormed to victory in a meet-record 3:50.71 in the women's 1500m at the Diamond League Prefontaine Classic at Hayward Field.

At the end of a long season, which has seen Kipyegon set three world records and win two world championships, Kipyegon still had enough gas in the tank to take two seconds off her meet record of 3:52.59 set last May.

“I didn’t watch the clock, I was just running my race and see what will happen at the finish line," Kipyegon said. "So it was amazing, to run a meeting record, just fantastic.”

The outcome of the race was never in doubt. The moment that the pacers stepped off the track, Kipyegon turned a screw that the talented field assembled behind her -- nine women finished under four minutes -- had no match for. Kipyegon closed the final quarter run 59.59.

“I didn’t worry about anything," Kipyegon said "I was just going and not looking back who is following me, just go to the tape and see what I was going to run.”

Diebe Welteji of Ethiopia finished second in a personal-best 3:53.93. Laura Muir of Great Britain crossed third in a season-best 3:55.16. Freweyni Haile of Ethiopia was fourth in a personal-best 3:55.68. Linden Hall of Australia took fifth in an Oceanic area record of 3:56.92.

Kipyegon said she is thankful for all of the success she has had this season and is looking forward to building on it next year.

“This was amazing, starting with the world record and now winning the (Diamond League) trophy," she said. "It has been a fantastic year for me and I really thank God for that. Now I go back home to enjoy a little bit. My mind is to defend my title over the 1500, so we’ll see what will happen.”