Faith Kipyegon headlines Kenyan charge at star-studded Prefontaine Classic
Reading Time: 2min | Thu. 02.07.26. | 09:46
All eyes will be on three-time Olympic champion Faith Kipyegon as she returns to Hayward Field, where she produced one of the greatest performances of her career
Kenya's biggest athletics stars will be out to make a statement when the Wanda Diamond League returns to Eugene, Oregon, for the prestigious Prefontaine Classic on Saturday, with Olympic and world champions set to feature in some of the meeting's most anticipated races.
All eyes will be on three-time Olympic champion Faith Kipyegon as she returns to Hayward Field, where she produced one of the greatest performances of her career by breaking the women's 1500m world record with 3:48.68 at last year's Prefontaine Classic.
The five-time world champion will switch to the women's mile, an event in which she also owns the world record of 4:07.64, and will face a formidable field that includes fellow Kenyan Dorcus Ewoi, Australia's Jessica Hull and Britain's Georgia Hunter Bell in a race featuring every medallist from the last World Championships and Olympic Games over 1500m.
World 800m champion Lilian Odira will also be aiming to continue her impressive rise when she takes on Olympic champion Keely Hodgkinson in a blockbuster showdown. The pair, who finished first and second at last year's World Championships, will both be chasing their first Diamond League victory of the season.
The women's 3000m steeplechase promises another thrilling Kenyan challenge as reigning world champion Faith Cherotich renews her rivalry with Olympic champion Winfred Yavi of Bahrain, Uganda's Olympic champion Peruth Chemutai and former world champion Norah Jeruto in one of the deepest fields ever assembled. The race features four of the six fastest women in history over the distance.
Kenya will also have strong representation in the men's Bowerman Mile through Reynold Cheruiyot and former world champion Timothy Cheruiyot. The duo will line up against Olympic champion Cole Hocker, defending champion Niels Laros, Yared Nuguse and Azeddine Habz in a race expected to bring the curtain down on Saturday's programme in spectacular fashion.
With world records, Olympic titles and Diamond League points all on the line, Kenya's elite middle and long-distance runners will once again be among the headline attractions at one of athletics' most iconic meetings, as they continue their preparations for the remainder of the 2026 season.
