NAIROBI, Kenya, June 22, 2026 – The stakes for this year’s Prefontaine Classic in Eugene have just gone a notch higher following confirmation that double world record holder Faith Kipyegon will be among those in contention.
Kipyegon, who lit the competition alight when she smashed the women’s 1500m world record last year, will be running in the mile — an event in which she is equally the globe’s fastest.
The 32-year-old boasts a world record of 4:07.64 in the mile, which she clocked at the Monaco Diamond League in July 2023.
Considering her history of success in Eugene, the three-time world 1500m champion will be chomping at the bit to try and smash another record at the Prefontaine Classic.
She clocked a world of 3:48.68 in the women’s 1500m at last year’s edition of this Diamond League event, saving the best for last on an afternoon that fellow Kenyan Beatrice Chebet smashed the women’s 5000m world record.
In this year’s edition, set for July 3-4, Kipyegon will be up against a star-studded cast that includes Olympic 1500m silver medalist Jessica Hull of Australia, world indoor champion Georgia Hunter Bell, American national record holder Nikki Hiltz and European indoor champion Sarah Healy.
Also running in the same event will be fellow Kenyans, world silver medalist Dorcus Ewoi and Susan Ejore-Sanders.
Kipyegon has yet to get into the thick of the 2026 season, only running in two competitions thus far.
Her first, the Monaco Run 10km road race, yielded a first place finish in 29:47.
She also triumphed at the opening leg of the Diamond League in Shanghai in May, clocking 14:24.14 in the women’s 5000m.
