Chebet on fire to break 5,000m world record in Zurich

By Bernard Cheruiyot Published on: September 05, 2024 02:32 (EAT) Kenya's Beatrice Chebet crosses the finish line ahead of Kenya's Faith Kipyegon during the women's 5000m final of the athletics event at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games at the Stade de France in Saint-Denis, north of Paris, on August 5, 2024. (Photo by Anne-Christine POUJOULAT / AFP) As time runs out for the highly anticipated women's 5,000m race at the Wanda Diamond League in Zurich on Thursday, all eyes are firmly on Kenya's Beatrice Chebet. The 10,000m world record holder is emerging as the main contender, ready to challenge the world record. Chebet, who made history by becoming the first Kenyan woman to win gold in the 5,000m and 10,000m at the Olympics, will aim to break the current 5,000m world record, held by Ethiopia's Gudaf Tsegay in 14:00.21. Tsegay set the record last year at the Diamond League finals in Eugene, USA. The Zurich meeting organisers have planned an aggressive pace, positioning Chebet to make a serious run towards that mark. Asics coach Peter Bii in Iten confirmed the planned splits for the race: 3000m: 8:25.00 The carefully planned targets correspond to a pace faster than the current world record. If Chebet can maintain this speed, she could write her name in the record books in Zurich. Ethiopian Ejgayehu Taye, ranked third in the world, and Melknat Wudu, who holds the season's best time of 14:26.98, will also be in the race. The race, scheduled for 8:43pm EAT, will see Chebet chase the record held by leaders Georgia Griffith and Katie Snowden. Both men are tasked with setting the tone for what could be a world record performance.