Faith Kipyegon Shatters Her Own 1500m World Record at Eugene Diamond League, Cementing Her Legacy as the Greatest Female Middle-Distance Runner

On July 5, 2025, at the Prefontaine Classic in Eugene, Oregon, Faith Kipyegon once again rewrote the record books, storming to a new women’s 1500m world record with a breathtaking time of 3:48.68. This performance, which shaved 0.36 seconds off her previous world record set in Paris on July 7, 2024, solidified her status as not only the greatest female middle-distance runner of all time but also a global icon in athletics. At 31, Kipyegon’s relentless pursuit of excellence, tactical brilliance, and unmatched finishing kick continue to redefine what is possible in women’s distance running. Her latest triumph at Hayward Field, a venue synonymous with track and field history, was a testament to her unparalleled dominance and a prelude to her ambitions for the 2025 World Athletics Championships in Tokyo.

A Historic Night in Eugene

The 50th edition of the Prefontaine Classic was a star-studded affair, featuring 17 individual Olympic champions and 14 world-record holders. Yet, it was Kipyegon who stole the show, closing the night with a jaw-dropping 1500m performance. The race began with a sharp pace, as Kipyegon tracked the pacemaker closely through 400m (1:01.61) and 800m (2:03.17). Australia’s Jessica Hull, the Olympic silver medallist, stayed on her shoulder, pushing the Kenyan star to maintain her rhythm. As the pacemakers dropped out, Kipyegon took command, unleashing her trademark devastating kick on the final lap. Her last 400m, clocked at an astonishing 59.1 seconds, left her rivals in her wake as she crossed the line alone, nearly three seconds ahead of Ethiopia’s Diribe Welteji (3:51.44) and Hull (3:52.67). The sell-out crowd at Hayward Field erupted, celebrating a moment that will be etched in athletics lore.

Kipyegon’s performance was all the more remarkable given her recent attempt to become the first woman to break the four-minute barrier in the mile. On June 26, 2025, at Stade Charléty in Paris, she ran an astonishing 4:06.42, the fastest mile ever recorded by a woman, aided by advanced technology and pacers. Though the time was not officially recognized by World Athletics due to the exhibition nature of the event, it showcased her extraordinary fitness and mental fortitude.

“I was preparing myself for something special, which was to run under four minutes in a mile, and I think I pushed myself, getting better and better toward the 1,500,” Kipyegon said after her Eugene triumph.

“I knew it was possible to still run under 3:49.” Her ability to rebound from the fatigue of that effort and deliver a world-record performance just nine days later underscores her resilience and unmatched preparation.

A Legacy of World Records

Kipyegon’s 2025 Eugene performance marked the third time she has broken the 1500m world record, a feat that cements her as the undisputed queen of the metric mile. Her first record came on June 2, 2023, at the Florence Diamond League, where she clocked 3:49.11, surpassing Genzebe Dibaba’s 2015 mark of 3:50.07. Just over a year later, on July 7, 2024, at the Paris Diamond League, Kipyegon improved her own record to 3:49.04, running a blistering final lap to edge out a deep field that included Hull and Welteji. Her latest record in Eugene, where she became the first woman to break the 3:49 barrier, further elevated her legacy. As of today, Kipyegon holds seven of the thirteen fastest 1500m times in history, a staggering statistic that highlights her dominance.

Beyond the 1500m, Kipyegon has left her mark on other distances. On June 9, 2023, at the Paris Diamond League, she smashed the 5000m world record with a time of 14:05.20, defeating Ethiopia’s Letesenbet Gidey in a thrilling race. Though her compatriot Beatrice Chebet later claimed the 5000m record in 2025, Kipyegon’s performance remains one of the fastest in history.

Additionally, on July 21, 2023, at the Monaco Diamond League, she broke the mile world record with a time of 4:07.64, erasing Sifan Hassan’s 2019 mark by over four seconds. These three world records, achieved over a 50-day span in 2023, showcased Kipyegon’s versatility and ability to redefine middle- and long-distance running.

Olympic and World Athletics Championship Dominance

Kipyegon’s resume is a glittering collection of accolades that few athletes can rival. She is the only athlete—male or female—to win three consecutive Olympic 1500m gold medals, achieving this historic feat at Rio 2016, Tokyo 2020, and Paris 2024. Her Paris 2024 performance was particularly remarkable, as she surged to a new Olympic record of 3:51.29, nearly two seconds faster than her Tokyo mark. The race saw her pull away on the final lap, leaving Hull and Great Britain’s Georgia Bell in her dust. Kipyegon also earned a silver medal in the 5000m at Paris 2024, overcoming a controversial disqualification for alleged obstruction of Gudaf Tsegay to secure her position behind Chebet.

At the World Athletics Championships, Kipyegon’s record is equally impressive. She won 1500m gold in 2017 (London), 2022 (Eugene), and 2023 (Budapest), becoming the first woman to claim four global 1500m titles. In 2023, she made history by winning both the 1500m (3:54.87) and 5000m (14:53.88) in Budapest, the first woman to achieve this double at a global championship. Her 2022 Eugene victory (3:52.96) saw her outpace Tsegay and Laura Muir, further solidifying her reputation as a clutch performer in championship settings. As a junior, Kipyegon won gold at the 2011 and 2013 World Cross Country Championships, as well as the 2011 World Youth and 2012 World Junior Championships in the 1500m, making her one of only eleven athletes to win world titles at the youth, junior, and senior levels.

Unbeatable and Unfinished

Kipyegon’s consistency is staggering. She has been undefeated in the 1500m since June 2021, a streak that includes Olympic finals, World Championship finals, and Diamond League races. Her ability to combine tactical acumen with blistering speed makes her nearly untouchable, as evidenced by her commanding performances against top-tier fields.

“For someone to show up and just keep doing it over and over again, she’s phenomenal,” Hull said after the Eugene race, a sentiment echoed by competitors and fans alike. Kipyegon’s humility off the track—recognized by her honorary doctorate from the University of Eldoret in 2024 for her “humility and grace”—only enhances her stature as a role model for young athletes, particularly in Kenya.

Yet, Kipyegon’s journey is far from over. With the 2025 World Athletics Championships in Tokyo looming, she is poised to defend her 1500m and possibly 5000m titles. Her Eugene performance sent a clear message to her rivals: she remains the athlete to beat. Kipyegon has hinted at attempting the 1500m-5000m double in Tokyo, a feat she accomplished in Budapest, and her preparation for the sub-four-minute mile suggests she could still chase that barrier in the future.

“This is the road to Tokyo, and I would say I am in the right direction,” she declared after her record-breaking run. She has also expressed interest in exploring the 800m world record, stating in 2023, “If the chance comes,” signaling her ambition to push her legacy even further.

A Lasting Legacy

Kipyegon’s rise from running barefoot in school to becoming a global athletics icon is a story of grit, talent, and inspiration. Her ability to juggle motherhood—she has a daughter, Alyn, with husband and Olympic medalist Timothy Kitum—while dominating the track speaks to her extraordinary discipline. Named one of the Top 100 most influential Africans by New African magazine in 2017, Kipyegon continues to inspire a new generation of runners.

“I want to see my career in the next level, like in Eliud Kipchoge’s level in marathon,” she told Olympics.com, drawing parallels with another Kenyan legend.

With three Olympic golds, four World Championship medals, three Diamond League 1500m titles (2017, 2021, 2022), and five world records across three distances, Kipyegon’s achievements are unmatched in women’s middle-distance running. Her latest world record in Eugene is not just a milestone but a statement of her evolving legacy. As she prepares for Tokyo 2025, the athletics world watches in awe, knowing that Faith Kipyegon is not just running against her competitors—she is racing against history itself.