Faith Kipyegon shatters records in stunning 3000m Diamond League run
By Kenneth Mwenda, August 16, 2025Faith Kipyegon once again proved why she is one of the greatest middle-distance runners of all time, after a breathtaking performance at the Silesia Diamond League on Saturday August 16, 2025, in in Chorzow, Poland.
The Kenyan star stormed to victory in the women’s 3000m, clocking a sensational 8:07.04, a time that broke different records in one race.
The 31-year-old ran with her usual control and determination, finishing just a second shy of the world record set by China’s Junxia Wang back in 1993 (8:06.11). Despite the hot conditions in Silesia, Kipyegon pushed herself to the very limit, closing hard in the final lap and almost rewriting the history books.
No athlete had come close to Junxia’s record until today’s Diamond League race. Earlier in May, Kipyegon’s compatriot Beatrice Chebet clocked 8:11.56 at the Rabat Diamond League, the fastest 3000m time since Junxia’s world record. Chebet later made history at the Prefontaine Classic, breaking the 5000m world record and becoming the first woman to run under 14 minutes with a remarkable 13:58.06.
Her incredible run saw her claim the African Record, Kenyan National Record, Diamond League Record, and her own Personal Best, in addition to being one of the fastest times ever recorded in the event. For many athletics fans, it was yet another reminder of Kipyegon’s remarkable dominance across distances ranging from 1500m to 5000m.
Ethiopia’s Likina Amebaw finished a distant second in 8:34.53, while her compatriot Aleshigh Baweke crossed the line third in 8:35.51. Australia’s Rose Davies (8:36.53) and the Netherlands’ Maureen Koster (8:36.71) completed the top five in a race that was lit up by Kipyegon’s brilliance.
Relentless pursuit of greatness
Kipyegon’s consistency and versatility continue to amaze. She has already rewritten history books in the 1500m and 5000m, and now she has left her mark on the 3000m too.
Before the Silesia race, Kipyegon’s personal best in the 3000m stood at 8:23.55, a time she set back in 2014, eleven years ago. The performance adds to her glittering list of achievements and keeps her firmly in the conversation as the greatest female middle-distance runner ever.
The performance comes only weeks after Kipyegon’s bold attempt in Paris to break another barrier – becoming the first woman in history to run a mile in under four minutes. On that occasion, she clocked 4:06.42 in a special “Breaking4” event, faster than her own official world record but outside the mark due to technical regulations.
Her effort captured global attention, and though she missed the target, Kipyegon vowed not to give up.
“I have proven that it is possible. If it is not me, it will be somebody else. I will not lose hope,” she said.