Faith Kipyegon Suffers First Defeat in 2023

Prolific Kenyan athlete Faith Kipyegon has lost the women’s mile at the inaugural World Road Running Championships in Riga, Latvia, after finishing third. 

Kipyegon was eyeing her fourth world record in what had been an undefeated season.

The victory went to Ethiopian Diribe Welteji, who clinched the Women’s Road Mile title after clocking 4:21.0.

“Ethiopia’s Diribe Welteji blazes to a 4:21.00 world record to grab a surprise gold in the women’s to-road mile,” World Athletics said in a statement. 

Before Sunday’s race, the road mile’s world record was held by American Nikki Hiltz.

Hiltz achieved the world record after clocking 4:27 in Des Moines, Iowa, United States on April 25. 

Olympic marathon champion Peres Jepchirchir also participated in the road mile event where she finished fourth. 

Kenya had earlier clinched gold and silver in the women’s 5 5-kilometre race. 

Beatrice Chebet from Kenya became the first woman in history to win the 5-kilometre at the inaugural World Running Championship after registering 14:35.

Lilian Rengeruk, also a Kenyan, bagged silver while third position went to Ejgayehu Taye from Ethiopia. 

Kenya perfomed dismally in the 5-kilometre men’s race with Hagos Gebrhiwet and Yomif Kejelcha all from Ethiopia bagging gold and silver respectively. 

Nicholas Kipkorir finished third in the 5-kilometre men’s race. 

The World Road Running Championships in Riga, which attracted over 300 participants from various corners of the globe, also witnessed the participation of thousands of recreational runners.