Ethiopia’s Gudaf Tsegay broke the world record in the 5,000 meters at the Prefontaine Classic on Sunday, running the distance in 14:00.21.
Tsegay beat the previous record of 14:05.20, which was set by Kenya’s Faith Kipyegon earlier this year in Paris. Tsegay’s finish was nearly 12 seconds better than her personal best. Kenyan Beatrice Chebet was runner-up in 14:05.92. The women’s 5,000m record has fallen by nearly 11 seconds in the last three years thanks to a crop of excellent runners.
Tsegay was not the only record breaker on Sunday in Eugene. Olympic and world champion Mondo Duplantis broke the men’s pole vault world record for the seventh time in his career. The Swede raised the record to 6.23 meters, beating the mark he set in February by 1 cm.
He was swarmed by fellow competitors after clearing the jump then hopped onto the track’s railing and struck a victory pose for fans.
“We’re not only competitors, but we really are brothers and we have a great time together out there,” Duplantis said. “To see them embrace me like that after doing a jump, breaking a world record, I’m thankful. I just feel very thankful.”
The Prefontaine Classic, normally run in late May, was this year’s final stop on the international Diamond League circuit. The 32 champions crowned during the two-day meet at Eugene’s Hayward Field in Oregon earned $30,000 apiece.
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