Faith Kipyegon sets second world record in a week with new 5000m mark

Faith Kipyegon, of Kenya, crosses the finish line to win the women's 5000m in a new world record during the Diamond League meet in Paris. Photo / AP

Faith Kipyegon has set a world record in the 5000m, a week after becoming the fastest woman ever over 1500m.

The two-time Olympic and world 1500m champion set the world record in the women’s 5000m in just her third elite race over the distance when she won at the Diamond League meet in Paris today in 14 minutes, 5.20 seconds.

Last week at the Golden Gala meet in Florence, the 29-year-old Kenyan runner lowered the world record in the 1500m to 3 minutes, 49.11 seconds, taking almost a second off the previous mark of 3:50.07 set by Genzebe Dibaba of Ethiopia in 2015.

Faith Kipyegon is helped back on her feet by fellow Kenyan, Beatrice Chepkoech, after a record-setting effort. Photo / AP

Kipyegon gave no indication ahead of the Paris meet that another world record was on her mind, but she powered around the last lap in 61.1 seconds to take 1.42 seconds off the previous mark set by Letesenbet Gidey in 2020.

Gidey placed second in 14:07.94, the third-fastest time for a woman over the 5000.

“The world record was not in my plan, I just ran after Gidey — she is an amazing lady,” Kipyegon said. “I don’t know what will be next. If my body is healthy, anything is possible.”

Lamecha Girma broke a 19-year-old world record in the men’s 3000m steeplechase later in the meet.

Faith Kipyegon poses alongside her record time for the women's 5000m. Photo / AP

The 22-year-old Ethiopian sped away in the final lap to cross in 7 minutes, 52.11 seconds, taking 1.52 seconds off the record set by Said Saeed Shaheen in 2004.

“I felt so fast during the race, so confident,” Girma said. “The world record is not a surprise; it was my plan to beat it tonight in Paris. It’s the result of my full determination.”