London DL: Tsegay moves closer to Kipyegon's World mark

World 10,000m champion Gudaf Tsegay achieved her first Diamond League (DL) victory of the season, producing a dominant run to win the women’s mile with the second-fastest time in history at the London event held on Saturday, 19 July.

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Racing the distance just three weeks after Faith Kipyegon attempted to make history as the first woman to run the distance in under four minutes, eventually clocking 4:06.42, 1.22 seconds faster than her official World Record of 4:07.64, Tsegay broke her national record in 4:11.88. 

She became the second fastest woman in mile history, coming 4.24 seconds closer to Kipyegon's official mark. 

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After a swift opening lap of 59.93, Tsegay settled into a steadier pace and went through 800m in 2:03.45. At the bell, Australia’s Jessica Hull had closed the gap on the Ethiopian, but Tsegay had saved something for the end, kicking to victory. 

Hull was second in 4:13.68, an Oceanian record.

Meanwhile, Sarah Healy ran a personal best (PB) of 4:16.26 to complete the podium places, while Sinclaire Johnson set an American Record of 4:16.32 to finish fourth.

Meanwhile, Kenya's Margaret Akidor, the only Kenyan in the women's 5000m clocked 14:38.45 to finish a distant ninth in a race won by Ethiopia’s Medina Eisa won in final lap sprint finish. 

She clocked 14:30.57 to finish ahead of compatriot Fantaye Belayneh (14:30.90) with Australia’s Rose Davies setting an Oceanian record of 14:31.45 in third.

A record number of 13 women finished inside 14:40, including Britain’s Innes Fitzgerald, who set a European U20 record of 14:39.56 in 12th.