Two-time Olympic champion Beatrice Chebet was “super happy” to smash the women’s 5km world record with a time of 13min 54sec at the Cursa dels Nassos road race in Barcelona on Dec 31, as she finished a blockbuster year on a high.
The Kenyan beat her previous record – set a year ago to the day at the Barcelona race – by 19 seconds, becoming the first woman to break the 14-minute barrier in the event.
Chebet was all on her own as she sprinted through the race and embraced friends at the finish line after adding another accolade to her name, having won the 5,000 and 10,000 metres at the Paris Games in 2024.
“I’m super happy as everything went according to plan,” Chebet said in remarks provided by World Athletics.
“I felt capable of running under 14 and I managed to do so. Two races in Barcelona and two world records, can I ask for more?”
The 24-year-old enjoyed a nearly flawless year, breaking the 10,000m world record in Eugene in May before claiming her second Diamond League title in the 5,000m in September.
Chebet said she will turn her attention to the World Championships in Tokyo in 2025, where she hopes to compete in both the 5,000 and 10,000, after picking up silver in 2022 and bronze in 2023 in the shorter distance.
“My focus for next year is to win gold medals over 5000m and 10,000m at the World Championships in Tokyo,” she added.
The men’s 5km race in Barcelona was won by Chebet’s fellow Kenyan and world Under-20 cross-country bronze medallist Matthew Kipkoech Kipruto.
Pre-race favourite Thierry Ndikumwenayo withdrew through injury, giving Kipruot the opportunity to win.
The 19-year-old took control from the start, covering the first 1km in 2:36 to take an early lead. He slowed down slightly afterwards while Spain’s Abdessadam Oukhelfen and France’s Pierrik Jocteur Monrozier began to approach him.
The Kenyan was timed at 8:02 for 3km, putting him two seconds ahead of his rivals.
He then maintained his pace in the closing stages and just about managed to hold off a late charge from Monrozier, both finished at 13:28 with Oukhelfen in third in 13:30. REUTERS
