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Kenyan Beatrice Chebet broke the women’s-only world 5K road record at the Cursa dels Nassos event in Barcelona on Sunday. The 23-year-old clocked a 14:13 performance — the aim going in was to set a new record, mission accomplished. The weather conditions were perfect.

The previous world record was held by Ethiopian Senbere Teferi at 14:29. She ran that time in Herzogenaurach, Germany in September 2021. Chebet’s performance also happens to be faster than the women’s world record set in a mixed race (men and women) which is 14:19, achieved by Ethiopia’s Ejegayehu Taye at the 2021 Cursa dels Nassos.

Taye finished on Sunday clocking a fast 14:21, while Kenya’s Lilian Kasait Rengeruk took third in the time of 14:25. All three of the medallists are the same three medallists from the 5K at the World Athletics Road Running Championships Riga on Oct. 23.

The race unfolded under near-perfect weather conditions, greatly contributing to the athletes’ extraordinary performances. 

Medina Eisa set a fast early pace, leading the field through 3K in a fast 8:40. Chebet took control of the race at 3K and again demonstrated a strong finish over the final metres for the commanding win. 

Chebet owns a 5000m best of 14:05.92. She ran that time in Eugene, Oregon in Sept. A year earlier, on the same track, she earned a silver medal in the 2022 World Athletics Championships. There, she ran a 14:46.75 time in a more tactical race. Chebet won the 2023 Bathurst World Cross Country Championships in February. She sat in second almost to the line before Ethiopian Letesenbet Gidey ran out of gas and dropped to the ground.

The performance is subject to the ratification process. Ratification includes verifying the course measure as well as reviewing the doping control and results.

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