Kenya’s Chepkoech breaks 5km world record in Monaco

FILE PHOTO: Athletics – World Athletics Championships – Doha 2019 – Women’s 3000 Meters Steeplechase Final – Khalifa International Stadium, Doha, Qatar – September 30, 2019 Kenya’s Beatrice Chepkoech celebrates winning gold REUTERS/Dylan Martinez

Kenya’s Beatrice Chepkoech broke the 5 kilometers world record on Sunday, finishing in a time of 14 minutes 43 seconds round the streets of Monaco to clip one second off the old mark.

The 29-year-old Chepkoech, who also holds the world record in the 3,000 meters steeplechase, battled windy conditions with assistance from her pacemaker Luuk Maas.

“I’m so happy. Even though there was a lot of wind, I managed to run right on pace,” Chepkoech said.

“In the end, my pacemaker told me ‘we can do it, let’s push it’. I’m really happy with this world record.”

Uganda’s Joshua Cheptegei, the 10,000 meters world champion, won the men’s race in a time of 13 minutes and 14 seconds.