Ruth Jebet and Hyvin Kiyeng made the women’s 3000m Steeplechase so much a cliffhanger that it was difficult picking an event that was better than it at the Prefontaine Classic in Eugene Diamond League.
The performance could only pale in comparison to Kendra Harrison’s breathtaking run in the women’s 100m Hurdles, but it was so much fun seeing how Jebet went toe to toe with Kiyeng to the finish line, putting up a thrilling performance to wow spectators.
Jebet a former Kenyan athlete who switched nationality to Bahrain, up to the last 400m held almost a 60m gap over Kiyeng, but she held on for dear life to cross the line, narrowly beating the world champion to win in 8:59.96. That time was just 1.16 away from the World Record (WR) making Jebet only the second woman in history to go under 9 minutes in the Steeplechase.
Kiyeng on her apart agonizingly finished 2nd, putting in a lot of hard work in the last 200m as she tried to close the gap, finishing with a new African Record of Kiyeng 9:00.01, and Emma Coburn finishing 3rd in 9:10.73
Having come very close to the (WR), with the stiff competition witnessed in Oregon, it could be a matter of time before either of Kiyeng or Jebet matches or even erases it.
Meanwhile in the 1500m, Faith Kipyegon showed that she could be a threat to Genzebe Dibaba this year, twice doing a Meet Record (MR) in a week to win with a time of 3:56.40. Dawit Seyaum was 2nd in 3:58.10 and Gudaf Tsegay 3rd in 4:00.18.
Yesterday Olympic champion had no problems winning his 10,000m race in 26:53.71, but with Muktar Edris running so well, timing his run to perfection before coming from outside to win the men’s 5000m with a World Leading time of 12:59.43, we could have a race at the Olympics.
In the Bowerman Mile event, Asbel Kiprop took his time before attacking the home straight and winning with an MR of 3:51.54. Abdelaati Iguider finished 2nd with 3:51.96, as Motonei Elijah Manangoi came in 3rd at 3:52.39.
Photo Credit: wangconnection.com
