Quadruple world 1,500m champion Faith Kipyegon launched her 2026 track season in emphatic fashion at the Shanghai Diamond League on Saturday, producing a commanding world-leading performance over 5,000m.
Kipyegon clocked 14:24.14 to register the fastest women’s 5,000m time in the world this season.
The Kenyan ace held off a fierce Ethiopian challenge, with Likina Amebaw finishing second in 14:24.21, while compatriot Senayet Getachew claimed third in 14:24.71.
Fellow Kenyan Caroline Nyaga crossed the line in ninth place in 14:36.55, as Maurine Chebor produced a personal best of 14:39.31 to finish 11th.
Kipyegon was pleased with her strong season opener in China.
”I feel so good. It was a good race. A positive season opener. My main goal was to see where we are placed and where we can adjust and continue with the same spirit,” Kipyegon said.
Kipyegon’s pedigree over the 5,000m remains formidable despite building her legacy primarily through complete domination of the 1,500m.
She made her debut over the distance in 2015 at the Paris Meeting, finishing seventh in 14:44.51.
Ethiopia’s Genzebe Dibaba won the race in 14:15.41, while compatriot Almaz Ayana settled for second in 14:21.97.
Kenya’s Mercy Cherono completed the podium after clocking 14:34.10.
However, it was in 2023 that Kipyegon truly announced herself as a devastating force over the 12-and-a-half-lap distance.
In June that year, she produced one of the greatest distance-running performances in history at the Paris Diamond League, shattering the then world record with a breathtaking 14:05.20 run.
Ethiopia’s Letesenbet Gidey timed 14:07.94 for second, while Ejgayehu Taye completed the podium in 14:13.31.
Two months later, Kipyegon delivered another championship masterclass at the World Athletics Championships Budapest, Hungary, in 2023, surging to gold in 14:53.88 ahead of Dutch star Sifan Hassan, who timed 14:54.11. Kenya’s Beatrice Chebet claimed bronze in 14:54.33.
In 2024, Kipyegon added Olympic silver in Paris after clocking 14:29.60 behind Chebet, who stormed to gold in 14:28.56, with Hassan taking bronze in 14:30.61.
At last year’s World Athletics Championships Tokyo 2025, Kipyegon added another silver medal to her glittering collection after timing 14:55.07, once again finishing behind Chebet, who won the title in 14:54.36.
The Kenyan superstar had already shown signs of sharp early-season form on the roads before her Shanghai triumph, storming to victory in a 10km race in Monaco in 29:47.
Britain’s Maddie Jordan-Lee finished second in 34:24, while Augustine Emeraux-Lombard completed the podium in 34:50.
