Kenya’s Beatrice Chepkoech smashed the world record in the women’s 3,000 metres steeplechase with a time of eight minutes 44.32 seconds at the Monaco Diamond League meeting on Friday.
Chepkoech, 27, broke the previous record mark of 8 minutes 52.78 set by Bahrain’s Ruth Jebet in 2016 and, after breaking clear 2,000 metres into the race, she finished 16 seconds clear of her nearest rival.
“I am so grateful,” Chepkoech told reporters. “I said from the beginning, from the first lap, and I was watching the time, and I knew I was going to break the world record.”
Her previous best was 8:59.36 in Paris last month and she finished fourth in the 2016 Rio Olympics and 2017 London world championships.
American world silver medallist Courtney Frerichs took second in a North American record of 9:00.85.
“That race was incredible,” Frerichs said. “Eight seconds under the world record. It’s such a huge step for the event.”
Source-the-star.co.ke
About Beatrice Chepkoech
Beatrice Chepkoech Sitonik (born 6 July 1991)[2] is a Kenyan long-distance runner who specialises in the 3000 metres steeplechase.
She won gold medals at the 2019 World Championships and 2018 African Championships and silver medal at the 2023 World Championships.
In the 1500 metres, Chepkoech took silver at the 2018 Commonwealth Games and bronze at the 2015 African Games.
She is the world record holder for the 3000 m steeplechase with a time of 8:44.32 set in 2018 in Monaco. With that mark she became the first woman to break the 8:50 and 8:45 barriers in the event.
Chepkoech is a two-time 3000 m steeplechase Diamond League champion and won two Kenyan national titles.
Beatrice Chepkoech Breaks Steeplechase World Record in Monaco
