Nineteen year old Faith Kipyegon broke the Kenya women’s 1500m by a running a superb time of 3:56.98. The previous record of 3:57.41 had been set by Jackline Maranga in Monaco circa 1998. In doing so, Kipyegon also shaved 7 seconds off her previous personal best. In 2008, compatriot Nancy Jebet Lagat won the Olympic gold medal in this event. Lagat’s personal best of 4:00.13 is almost 3 seconds slower than the time Kipyegon posted.
Kipyegon did this at the Doha grand prix. Her superlative performance failed to grab the headlines in Kenyan newspapers beause she actually finished second in her race to Abeba Aregawi of Ethiopia. Kipyegon overshadowed by David Rudisha and Asbel Kiprop who each won their respective races.
Aregawi of Ethiopia had been invincible over the 1500m throughout last season’s diamond league meetings but Kipyegon gave her a run for her money and almost beat the vastly experienced Aregawi.
Earlier in the year, she had won the junior race at the 2013 world cross country championships held in Bydogcz Poland. Kenya with all its talent has lacked a consistent, dependable performer at this event and fans will be counting on Kipyegon to deliver medals.
With her early success Kipyegon has certainly shown signs that she is gold medal material assuming she trains hard and smart and remains injury free. She is certainly one to watch for starting at the 2013 World athletics championships to be held in Moscow.
