Obiri Sets New Personal Record as Kenyan Athletes Shine in Monaco

  • By John Mbati on 15 August 2020 - 7:22 am
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    Hellen Obiri celebrates winning the women's 5000m final at Khalifa Stadium, Qatar in October 2019
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  • Kenyan athletes roared into victory at the first leg of the 2020 Diamond League in Monaco, France on Friday night, August 14. 

    World 5,000 metres champion Hellen Obiri led the pack, setting a record and world lead of 14.22.12 to win the race.

    This was the 5th fastest time of her career and her 3rd win at the Monaco DL. 

    Obiri trounced Ethiopia's Letesenbet Gidey who came second with 14:26:57 with England's Laura Weightman following at third with 14:35:44. 

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    Kenya's Timothy Cheruiyot celebrates after winning the 1,500 metres race in Monaco, France on Friday, August 14, 2020
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    Olympic 1,500m champion Faith Kipyegon won the women's 1,000m, clocking 2:29:15 to beat England's Laura Muir who came second in 2:30:82.

    In the men's race, Timothy Cheruiyot won the 1,500 metres race clocking 3:28:45 to see off Norway's Jakob Ingebrgisten who came second in 3:28:68.

    However, Kenya's Nicholas Kimeli and Jacob Krop were eclipsed by Uganda's Joshua Cheptegei in the 5,000 metres race. 

    Cheptegei set a new world record of 12:35.36 breaking Ethiopian Kenenisa Bekele's 2004 record set at 12:37:35.

    "I think Monaco is a special place. It took a lot of mind-setting to keep motivated this year.

    “I pushed myself, I had the right staff with me, the right coach. I’m usually based in Europe but being based in Uganda with my family was actually great,” the new record holder stated. 

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    Uganda's Joshua Cheptegei sets a new world record in 5,000 metres race in Monaco, France on Friday, August 14, 2020
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