Two-time world champion and record-breaker in the 1500 m, Faith Kipyegon still hasn’t had enough this year. The Kenyan legend will be competing at the World Road Running Championships in Riga on October 1.
Faith KipyegonFaith Kipyegon aims for a 3rd world title this year in Riga
Faith Kipyegon has won almost everything this year. Double world champion (1500m and 5000m), she won her 5th Diamond League and she broke three world records. Despite her fine performances, Kipyegon has no intention of stopping there this season. She will be making her debut at the World Road Race Championships in Riga, Latvia, on October 1.
Track racing has been her main focus in recent years, but she has often hinted at an eventual switch to roads and possibly the marathon. Her participation in Riga marks the first significant step in this process. And the double Olympic 1500 m champion has the ability to shine on the road. Her versatility is well proven. In 2011, she won her first world title in the U20 race at the World Cross-Country Championships, which she successfully defended two years later.
In Riga, she will be lining up for the mile, for which she holds the world record on the track (4mn07s64s). On the road, this time is just 20 seconds behind the world record held by American Nikki Hiltz (4mn27s97). Kipyegon is therefore a serious contender for the title.
Kipyegon meets Welteji
Faith Kipyegon will face stiff competition. Ethiopia has selected three of its top middle-distance runners, all of whom improved their 1,500 m times by 3:56 this year. They include Hirut Meshesha, Freweyni Hailu and Diribe Welteji. The latter was Kipyegon’s closest challenger at the World Championships in Budapest, finishing just one second behind the Kenyan to take silver in 3mn55s69. She then set a personal best of 3:53:93 at the Wanda Diamond League final in Eugene, again finishing second behind Kipyegon.
