Chepkoech dips under nine minutes to win London Diamond League

The win erased Ethiopia’s Almayew Sembo’s 9:00.71 meeting record.

In Summary
  • Her performance made her the only athlete to go under nine minutes over the distance this year and shedding five seconds off her previous best of 9:02.43.
Jackline Chepkoech celebrates after winning the 3,000m steeplechase race at the London Diamond League on Sunday. HANDOUT
Jackline Chepkoech celebrates after winning the 3,000m steeplechase race at the London Diamond League on Sunday. HANDOUT

Commonwealth Games 3,000m steeplechase champion Jackline Chepkoech produced a brilliant personal best of 8:57.35 to win her speciality at the London Diamond League on Sunday.

Her performance made her the only athlete to go under nine minutes over the distance this year and shedding five seconds off her previous best of 9:02.43.

The win erased Ethiopia’s Almayew Sembo’s 9:00.71 meeting record.

The Budapest-bound former World U20 champion beat world record holder over the distance, namesake Beatrice Chepkoech to second in a season's best of 9:04.34 while home girl Pratt Aimee also had a season's best of 9:16.10 for third.

Commonwealth Games champion Beatrice Chebet recorded a season’s best of 14:12.92 to wrap up second behind Ethiopian Gudaf Tsegay, who breasted the tape in 14:12.29 to win the 5,000m race. London Marathon winner and Olympic champion Sifan Hassan settled for third in 14:13.42.

Another Budapest-bound Kenyan, Timothy Cheruiyot faded to eighth in his 1500m specialty, clocking 3:31.44 in a race won by American Nuguse Yared in 3:30.44.