Beatrice Chebet is confident that she will one day break the world record after becoming the second-fastest women’s 3000m runner at the Wanda Diamond League meeting in Rabat on Sunday.

The Olympic 5000m and 10,000m champion won a race against the pace lights set for 8:15.00, kicking on the final lap to cross the finish line in 8:11.56. This represents an African record that moves the 25-year-old to number two on the world all-time list, according to World Athletics.

Only China’s Wang Junxia, with her world record of 8:06.11 from 1993, has ever gone faster.

“I am so happy. I was not preparing for a world record attempt; I just came to run my personal best, and that’s what I did. I just have to believe in myself, and then maybe after some months or years, that world record will come. 

“After a few laps I realized I was on my own, but I kept pushing myself to show everyone what I can do. I really like this distance – it’s nothing like a 5000m or 10,000m; it’s something completely different, and I am also good at it,” Chebet said, as per World Athletics.

How Chebet conquered Rabat

Chebet, who is the world record holder for the 10,000m and road 5km, tucked herself behind the two pacemakers from the start. With two minutes on the clock, a lead group of three behind the pacemakers had already been established, but Chebet didn’t have company for long.

After Winnie Nanyondo took them through 1000m in 2:44.47, the pace dropped ever so slightly, and Chebet reached 2000m in 5:30.51. She was running at the back of the pace lights with two laps to go but was right on the rhythm at the bell. Kicking again, Chebet left the lights behind and powered over the finish line in 8:11.56.

She won by more than 14 seconds, but showing the great standard, Nadia Battocletti’s 8:26.27 for second place was still an Italian record, while Ireland’s Sarah Healy set a PB of 8:27.02 to finish third.