Kenya’s Faith Kipyegon staked her claim as the greatest women’s 1,500-metre runner of all-time on Friday in Florence, Italy.
The two-time Olympic champion and two-time world gold medallist, smashed the world record in the distance, becoming the first woman ever to break three minutes 50 seconds with a time of 3:49.11.
Kipyegon, 29, broke away from the pack quickly and never slowed down, turning the world record into a seeming foregone conclusion over the final 100 metres.
England’s Laura Muir (3:57.09) outpaced Australia’s Jessica Hull (3:57.29) for second place.
WATCH | Kipyegon breaks world record:
Kenya’s Faith Kipyegon destroyed the world record in the women’s 1,500-metre race, posting a time of 3:49.11 in a Diamond League event in Florence Italy.
Canada’s Gabriela DeBues-Stafford, racing in her first Diamond League event in over a year following a serious pelvis injury, crossed the line in 12th place at 4:03.64.
In the men’s 100, American Fred Kerley reasserted his dominance yet again.
The reigning world champion remained unbeaten on the season, taking his second consecutive title in the distance with a time of 9.94 seconds in a race that was never truly close.
Kenya’s Ferdinand Omanyala was second at 10.05 seconds, while American Trayvon Bromell finished third in 10.09 seconds.
Italy’s Samuel Ceccarelli, replacing Jacobs in front of his home crowd, ran a personal-best of 10.13 seconds.
WATCH | Kerley remains unbeaten:
American sprinter Fred Kerley set a blistering time of 9.94 to win the Diamond League event in Florence Italy.
Another top-3 for Canada’s Brown
Meanwhile, Toronto’s Aaron Brown placed third in the men’s 200, clocking in at 20.31 seconds.
The 31-year-old, who owns two Olympic relay medals and a world championship relay title, earned his fourth top-three finish in as many races this season. His lone victory came at the Kip Keino Classic in May, when he posted a time of 20.12 seconds. His season-best is 20 seconds flat.
But it was American Erriyon Knighton, the world bronze medallist, who stole the show in Italy. Though Brown stayed close through the first 100, Knighton’s finishing kick left his opponents in the dust en route to a winning time of 19.89 seconds.
“I was running from the outside, I tried to run relaxed. I wouldn’t say that I didn’t try to stay safe on the home straight. Now, I am very satisfied with this time — under 20 in the first race of the season,” Knighton said.
Trinidad and Tobago’s Jereem Richards outsprinted Brown in the final metres to steal second place at 20.28 seconds.
WATCH | Knighton tops men’s 200:
American Erriyon Knighton won the men’s 200m race with a time of 19.89 in Florence Italy at the Golden Gala event in Florence. Canadian Aaron Brown was third in a time of 20.31.
Ahmed runs out of steam in 5K
In the men’s 5,000, an expected duel between Olympic champion Joshua Cheptegei of Ethiopia and Canadian silver medallist Moh Ahmed fizzled quickly, with the former placing fourth and the latter 10th.
Cheptegei, also the world record holder, bided his time in the back, not making a move to the front of the pack until the final lap, by which time it was too late. He crossed the line in 12:53.81.
“This race was more like a championship race. I have a lot of endurance, now I need to work more on my speed,” Cheptegei said.
Ahmed, the 32-year-old from St. Catharines, Ont., stayed in the middle throughout most of the five kilometres, but didn’t appear to leave enough gas in his tank for a final push. He finished with a time of 12:56.46 — nearly 10 seconds off of his personal best.
Spain’s Mohamed Katir (12:52.09) edged out Ethiopia’s Yomif Kejelcha (12:52.12) to win the Diamond League 5,000, while Guatemala’s Luis Grijalva placed third (12:52.97).
Regan Yee, the 27-year-old from Hazelton, B.C., placed 13th at 9:40.04 in the women’s 3,000 steeplechase in her second-ever Diamond League race.
You can watch a full replay of the Florence event on Saturday at 1 p.m. ET on the CBC TV network, as well as CBCSports.ca, the CBC Sports app and CBC Gem.
The Diamond League season resumes next Friday in Paris, with live coverage available beginning at 3 p.m. ET.
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