By Chris Chavez
July 22, 2023
Two-time Olympic champion Faith Kipyegon got her third world record of the year with a 4:07.64 mile at the Monaco Diamond League on Friday, July 21.
Here’s what you need to know:
– This was the greatest mile race in history.
– Kipyegon took nearly five seconds off Sifan Hassan’s 4:12.33 world record that was set on the same track four years ago.
– All 13 people in the field broke personal bests. Six national records were set in the race. Ireland’s Ciara Mageean finished second in 4:14.58 to break Sonia O’Sullivan’s 4:17.25 record from 1994. Great Britain’s Laura Muir ran 4:15.24 to break Zola Budd’s 4:17.25 mark from 1985. Jess Hull lowered her own Australian record from 4:18.24 to 4:15.34. Nikki Hiltz (6th in 4:16.35) took down Mary Decker Slaney’s American record of 4:16.71, which stood since 1985. France’s Berenice Cleyet-Merle broke her respective national record in 4:26.06. Venezuela’s Joselyn Daniely Brea continues her breakout season with a 4:27.41 national record.
– Mageean is now No. 5 on the all-time list. Ethiopia’s Freweyni Hailu is No. 6 on the all-time list. Laura Muir is No. 7 on the all-time list. Jess Hull is No. 8 on the all-time list.
How it happened:
Major kudos to strong pacing by Team New Balance Boston’s Kristie Schoffield and Ugandan star Winnie Nanyondo. Kipyegon was super controlled and positioned herself behind the pacers right from the start and gradually increasing her pace. She hit the halfway mark in 2:04.6 and hit the bell in 3:06.8. She closed the final lap in 59.5 seconds to win.
What they said after the race:
Faith Kipyegon: “I was well-prepared. It was a matter of running a beautiful race today in Monaco and seeing what was the outcome at the finish line. I was well prepared and believed in the training that I’ve done so far and knowing that everything was possible this year.”
Nikki Hiltz: “I didn’t focus on it. I just focused on racing…of course, I want to break it, but I’m just going to focus on racing – and then it happened.”
What comes next:
Kipygeon is looking to become the first woman in history to win three world championship gold medals in the 1500m. The first round of the women’s 1500m in Budapest will be Saturday, Aug. 19. The final will be on Tuesday, Aug. 22. Kipyegon will also race the 5000m, which consists of a heat on Aug. 23 and the final on Aug. 26.
Chris Chavez
Chris Chavez launched CITIUS MAG in 2016 as a passion project while working full-time for Sports Illustrated. He covered the 2016 Olympics in Rio de Janeiro and grew his humble blog into a multi-pronged media company. He completed all six World Marathon Majors and is an aspiring sub-five-minute miler.
