Kenyan distance running star Beatrice Chebet delivered a stunning performance at Sunday’s Diamond League meeting in Rabat, smashing the African record in the women’s 3000m with a time of 8:11.56. The 25-year-old’s remarkable run places her as the second-fastest woman in history over the distance.
Only China’s Wang Junxia holds a faster time, with her world record of 8:06.11 set back in 1993. Chebet’s performance came nine months after her double Olympic triumph in Paris, where she claimed gold in both the 5000m and 10,000m events.
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The race began with Chebet positioning herself strategically behind the two pacemakers. She maintained this patient approach through the early stages, staying within striking distance as the pace unfolded. Winnie Nanyondo led the field through the opening 1000m split in 2:44.47, with Chebet tracking the leaders in a small group.
As the race progressed, Chebet found herself running alone after her competitors began to fade. She reached the 2000m mark in 5:30.51, still following the pace lights but showing no signs of struggle. With two laps remaining, she positioned herself perfectly for her signature finishing kick.
The final 400m showcased why Chebet has become one of the world’s premier distance runners. She surged past the pace lights and powered through to the finish, winning by an impressive margin of over 14 seconds. Her time of 8:11.56 not only broke the African record but also demonstrated her versatility across different distances.
“I am so happy,” Chebet said after her record-breaking run. “I was not preparing for a world record attempt, I just came to run my personal best and that’s what I did. I just have to believe in myself and then maybe after some months or years, that world record will come.”
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The depth of the race was evident in the performances behind Chebet. Italy’s Nadia Battocletti finished second in 8:26.27, setting a new Italian record in the process. Ireland’s Sarah Healy completed the podium with a personal best of 8:27.02, showing the high quality throughout the field.
Morocco’s Soufiane El Bakkali provided another highlight for the home crowd in the men’s 3000m steeplechase. The two-time world and Olympic champion controlled the race from start to finish, winning in a world-leading time of 8:00.70. Germany’s Frederik Ruppert pushed El Bakkali to the line, finishing second in 8:01.49 and taking nearly eight seconds off the German national record.
Kenya’s Edmund Serem, just 17 years old and the reigning world U20 champion, finished third in a personal best of 8:07.47, highlighting the continued strength of Kenyan distance running across all age groups.
The middle distance events also produced exceptional performances. Botswana’s Tshepiso Masalela celebrated his 26th birthday in style by winning the men’s 800m in a world-leading time of 1:42.70. The world and Olympic finalist kicked clear of his rivals in the final 200m, setting both a meeting record and personal best.
Great Britain’s Max Burgin also ran a personal best of 1:43.34 for second place, while Kenya’s Olympic champion Emmanuel Wanyonyi took third in 1:43.37.
American Jonah Koech claimed the biggest victory of his career in the men’s 1500m, timing his finish perfectly to win in 3:31.43. The tactical race saw France’s Azeddine Habz take early control before fading in the home straight, unable to respond to Koech’s well-timed kick.
Kenya’s Reynold Cheruiyot and Festus Lagat finished second and third respectively in 3:31.78 and 3:32.06, with Lagat’s time representing a personal best.
The women’s 1500m went to Kenya’s Nelly Chepchirchir in 3:58.04.
Chebet’s record-breaking performance adds another chapter to her remarkable season. Already holding the world record in the 10,000m and road 5km, she continues to prove her versatility across multiple distances. Her ability to drop down from her usual 5000m and 10,000m events and immediately excel shows the breadth of her talent.
“After a few laps I realized I was on my own, but I kept pushing myself to show everyone what I can do,” Chebet explained. “I really like this distance – it’s nothing like a 5000m or 10,000m, it’s something completely different and I am also good at it.”
The Meeting International Mohammed VI d’Athlétisme de Rabat is the fourth meeting in the Wanda Diamond League series this season. The series will continue on June 6 with the Golden Gala in Italy.
