APA-Addis Ababa (Ethiopia) Ethiopia’s Diribe Weltegi broke the women’s world mile record of 4:21.00 at the World Athletics Road Running Championships Riga 2023.
Ethiopia’s Diribe Welteji turned the tables on Kenya’s Faith Kipyegon to win the inaugural women’s world mile title in a world record of * at the World Athletics Road Running Championships Riga 23 on Sunday.
Kicking away from Kenya’s Faith Kipyegon – the multiple world champion and world record-holder, the 21-year-old strode to her first senior title, eventually leading also an Ethiopian Freweyni Hailu.
Eleven athletes represented Ethiopia in Sunday’s inaugural Road Running competition where Global titles in the road mile, 5km, and half marathon were up for grabs.
The elite action started with women’s 5km that involved two Ethiopian athletes Medina Eisa and Ejigayehu Taye. Ejgayehu took bronze in 14:40 as Beatrice Chebet crossed the line in 14:35 to lead a Kenyan 1-2 finish from Lilian Rengeruk (13:02). Medina was fourth in 14:41.
Meanwhile, ten years after winning the world U20 cross-country title, Ethiopia’s Hagos Gebrhiwet earned his long-awaited first senior global title by winning the men’s 5km at the World Athletics Road Running Championships Riga 23.
The 29-year-old crossed the line in 12:59 to lead an Ethiopian 1-2 finish from Yomif Kejelcha (13:02). Kenya’s Nicholas Kipkorir earned his first global medal, taking bronze in 13:16.
The first kilometre was covered in 2:41, and after five minutes of running Yomif moved into the lead and started to push the pace, covering the second kilometre in 2:39. Kenya’s Cornelius Kemboi was in second place at this stage with Hagos and Kipkorir close behind.
MG/abj/APA