Three time Olympic 1,500m champion Faith Kipyegon wrapped the season in style, cruising to victory at the inaugural Athlos Women-Only Meet Friday morning. Kipyegon clocked 4:04.79 to claim the crown, fending off Ethiopia’s Diribe Welteji (4:05.58) and Kenya’s Susan Ejore (4:06.25). Coming into the race, my goal was to win and finish the season on a high note, Kipyegon said.
Despite her dominant win, Kipyegon admitted she still had energy left in the tank, attributing her freshness to a delayed start to the season. I started my season late, so I still feel strong. I haven’t competed in as many events as usual,” she noted.
Kipyegon opened her season in June at the Olympic trials, where she stamped her authority with victories in the 5,000m (14:46.28) and the 1,500m (3:53.98).She followed that up with a sensational run at the Paris Diamond League in July, where she shattered her 1,500m world record, clocking 3:49.04.
At the Paris Olympics, she claimed silver in the 5,000m in 14:29.60, behind world 10,000m record holder Beatrice Chebet (14:28.56). She defended her 1,500m title, securing her third consecutive Olympic gold with a 3:51.29 finish. After Paris, Kipyegon won the Roma Diamond League (3:52.89) before securing her fifth Diamond League trophy in Brussels (3:54.75).
The 30-year-old said competing at the Athlos meet was a way to inspire the next generation of female athletes. It’s special to see an event like this, dedicated to women. I wanted to be part of it to motivate young female athletes, she said.
She hopes World Athletics will increase funding for women’s events. I’d love to see more of these meets in the future. It would be great if World Athletics invested more in women athletes. It would inspire them, Kipyegon added.
Kipyegon was thrilled by the atmosphere in her first run in New York. It was my first time running here in New York. The atmosphere was electric. It felt amazing to compete in front of such a lively crowd, she said.
Kipyegon pocketed Sh7.7 million. It’s incredible to win such a significant amount. This is the first time I’ve earned so much in a meet, she remarked.
The world 800m champion Mary Moraa was second to Ethiopia’s Olympic silver medallist Tsige Duguma in the 800m race. Duguma clocked 1:57.43 as Moraa trailed in 1:58.05 to grab Sh3.2m.Jamaica’s Natoya Toppin finished third in 1:58.63.
