Faith Kipyegon embraces new challenge after impressive 10km debut in Monaco
Reading Time: 2min | Mon. 16.02.26. | 14:05
Her Monaco triumph comes after a remarkable 2025 track season that cemented her status as one of the greatest middle-distance runners in history
Kenya’s world 1500m record holder Faith Kipyegon has revealed that her winning debut over 10 km at the Monaco Run was all about learning, growth, and preparing for bigger challenges ahead.
The 32-year-old clocked an impressive 29:46 on Sunday, finishing top in her first-ever road 10 km race and placing joint 14th on the world all-time list.
It marked her longest competitive race to date, signaling a possible shift toward longer-distance events in the future.
Speaking before the race, Kipyegon admitted that Monaco holds a special place in her heart and inspired her to try something new.
“I just enjoy coming to Monaco. It is a very special place where I usually enjoy running on the track, and now I am here on a different mission, to run on the road,” she said in an interview with World Athletics.
“This is another challenge, to do more than 5km on the roads. It is a matter of learning to know how road racing works. I normally talk about doing a marathon in the future, so this is the start.”
True to her words, Kipyegon approached the race with patience and control.
She opened strongly, crossing the 5km mark in 14:59, before maintaining her rhythm alongside Benard Soi and Yonah Mateiko. In the final stages, she surged clear to secure victory.
After the race, the triple Olympic champion took to social media to reflect on her experience with gratitude and optimism.
“What a beautiful morning! Grateful for my 29:47 10k debut on the roads and already looking forward to more,” she wrote.
Kipyegon’s Monaco triumph comes after a remarkable 2025 track season that cemented her status as one of the greatest middle-distance runners in history.
She broke her own 1500m world record at the Prefontaine Classic, becoming the first woman to run under 3:49.
She also claimed her fourth world title at the World Athletics Championships, setting a new record for women in distance events.
Additionally, she produced the fastest mile ever run by a woman during the Nike Breaking4 Project in Paris.
In Monaco, her winning time was just over a minute slower than the current world record held by compatriot Agnes Ngetich, further highlighting her potential on the roads.
Her steady transition to longer distances has sparked discussion about whether she could one day follow the path of her mentor and training partner Eliud Kipchoge, who successfully moved from track to marathon dominance.