Unstoppable Beatrice Chepkoech breaks 2000m steeplechase world record

World 3000m steeplechase record holder Beatrice Chepkoech on Sunday 10 September earned another title to her impressive career as she shaved over five seconds on her way to breaking the women’s 2000m steeplechase world record at the Memorial Borisa Hanžekovića World Continental Tour Gold meeting in Zagreb, Croatia.

The Kenyan, who was aiming to eclipse Belgian Gesa Felicitas Krause’s record of 5:52.80 set in September 2019, was quick off the gun, and rounded her way behind the two race pacemakers over the first 600m, before breaking all clear to come home in a world best time of 5:47.42.

By doing that, the 2023 World Championships silver medalist is now the holder of two steeplechase records on the track, with her 3000m steeplechase record set in Monaco on 20 July 2018 still standing.

Chepkoech clocked an impressive time of 8:44.32 that if trimmed to the first 2000m she ran today, could have timed another record breaking run at 5:49.9.

Kenya’s only other runner in the race - Winnie Jemutai - clocked the race’s third fastest time as she came home a distant second, timing a personal best time of 5:52.92.

Slovenia’s Marusa Mismas Zrimsek finished third in a national record time of 5:53.38.

The remaining athletes in fourth to sixth positions, all finished in personal best times, best describing the pace on the day.

Omanyala triumphs at the World Continental Tour meeting in Zagreb

In another race at the same venue that involved a Kenyan, national champion over 800m Alex Ng’eno Kipng’etich finished fourth in a time of 1:45.14.

Ahead of him was race winner Daniel Rowden of Great Britain who timed 1:44.96, with the duo of Gabriel Tual (France) and Andreas Kramer (Sweden) coming in second and third in a time of 1:45.07 and 1:45.10 respectively.

Kenya’s other representative - Collins Kipruto - was ninth timing 1:46.67.