Kipyegon tipped to break 32-year record in Silesia

World 1500m record holder and three-time champion Faith Kipyegon, who is set to feature in the 3000m at the Silesia Diamond League on August 16, has been tipped to set yet another world record.

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The Kenyan has dominated her specialty distance since the 2016 Rio Olympics but has not raced the 3000m since her second-place finish in 8:38.05, behind Francine Niyosaba. 

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In late June in Paris, she attempted to redefine the women’s mile race. In an attempt organized by her sponsor, Nike, Kipyegon tried to become the first woman to break four minutes. The 31-year-old finished in 4:06.42, faster than her own world record, but six seconds off her target. 

Despite missing out on her target in Paris, she lined up for the 1500m at the Prefontaine Classic held on Saturday, 5 July, and ran 3:48.68 to win by almost three seconds, becoming the first woman to go sub-3:49. 

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The multiple world 1500m and 5000m gold medalist has a 3000m PB of 8:23.55, but that was set back in 2014 when she was just 20. Since then, she has claimed three Olympic 1500m titles, and her 5000m PB of 14:05.20 was also a world record when she ran it in 2023.

Meanwhile, the barrier to break in Silesia on August 8 is 8:06.11, held by Junxia Wang since 1993. Kipyegon’s personal best is now 11 years old, but her current form points to a new mark in the distance. 

"She is capable of more, and she knows more, e.g., about Ingebrigtsen improving the 3000m world record in our Silesia last year. On the men’s side, just as on the women’s now, the record looked unbreakable. But nothing is forever. It looks like Faith is dreaming of proving it true," Piotr Małachowski, meeting director, said.