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Kipyegon returns to Prefontaine Classic to headline race making comeback after 30 years
Reading Time: 2min | Thu. 09.04.26. | 10:39
The competition forms part of the prestigious Wanda Diamond League circuit, known for attracting the world’s finest track and field athletes
Kenyan middle-distance queen Faith Kipyegon is set to headline a historic return at the Prefontaine Classic, as the women’s mile makes a long-awaited comeback after more than three decades.
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The iconic race, absent from the meet since 1993, will feature prominently at the 2026 edition scheduled for Friday, 3 to Saturday, 4 July at Hayward Field in Eugene, Oregon.
The competition forms part of the prestigious Wanda Diamond League circuit, known for attracting the world’s finest track and field athletes.
Kipyegon’s return marks her 11th appearance at the Prefontaine Classic, a meet where she has built a legacy defined by dominance and record-breaking performances. The triple Olympic champion delivered one of the highlights of the event’s 50th edition last year, shattering the 1,500m world record in a stunning 3:48.68.
Her prowess over the mile distance has also cemented her place in history. Kipyegon clocked a world record 4:07.64 at the 2023 Monaco Diamond League to underline her status as the greatest female miler of her generation.
The reintroduction of the women’s mile adds a nostalgic yet exciting twist to the Prefontaine Classic program. Despite the event not being contested at the Olympic Games or World Championships, it remains a fan favorite on the Diamond League circuit. It often featured in meetings such as London, Monaco, and Stockholm.
The meet record, set by American legend Mary Slaney in 1988 at 4:21.25, now appears firmly under threat. With Kipyegon in peak form, expectations are high that the historic mark could finally fall when the race returns to the Eugene track.
Kipyegon last tackled the mile in June 2025 during a special Nike-organized event, where she attempted to become the first woman to break the elusive four-minute barrier. Although the feat remained out of reach, she still produced a remarkable 4:06.42, an unofficial improvement on her own world record.