Heartbreak and Triumph in Rome: Kenya's Beatrice Chebet Clocks Second-Fastest 5000m Ever, Comes Agonizingly Close to World Record

Rome, Italy – Beatrice Chebet Blazes to History’s Doorstep in Thrilling 5000m Showdown at Rome Diamond League

Kenya’s long-distance queen Beatrice Chebet lit up the track at the Rome Diamond League on Friday night with a blistering performance that brought her within touching distance of a historic world record. In front of a captivated crowd at the Stadio Olimpico, the 25-year-old stormed to victory in the women’s 5000 metres, clocking a jaw-dropping 14:03.69 — a new meeting record, personal best, and the second-fastest time ever recorded in the event.

Chebet’s time left her just 2.5 seconds shy of the standing world record of 14:00.21, set by Ethiopia’s Gudaf Tsegay in 2023. Though she narrowly missed rewriting the history books, Chebet’s run was a masterclass in endurance, speed, and tactical brilliance.

A Season of Relentless Excellence

Chebet’s Rome heroics cap off what has been a sizzling season for the rising Kenyan star, who seems to be edging ever closer to the summit of long-distance running. Just weeks ago in Rabat, she stunned the athletics world by clocking 8:11.56 in the women’s 3000 metres — the second-fastest time in history and only milliseconds behind Wang Junxia’s enduring world record of 8:06.11 set in 1993.

With her Rome performance, Chebet has now solidified her status not only as a world-beater but as the leading contender to topple some of the sport’s most iconic records.

“I can see that my body is in good shape and that I am capable of achieving the world record,” Chebet said after the race, visibly energized by the crowd and her performance. “Now I am going home to prepare for it. Everything is possible.”

Rome Delivers Drama Across the Board

The women’s 5000m was just one highlight in a night packed with drama, adrenaline, and elite performances at the Rome Diamond League.

In the men’s 110m hurdles, Swiss sensation Jason Joseph edged out American standout Cordell Tinch in a photo finish, with both men crossing the line in 13.14 seconds. The race, defined by razor-thin margins and explosive starts, had fans on the edge of their seats.

The men’s 400m proved equally electrifying, as American Quincy Hall battled down the home straight to narrowly defeat South Africa’s Zakithi Nene, clocking 44.22 seconds, just one-hundredth of a second ahead of his rival.

Meanwhile, in the men’s 1500 metres, France’s Azeddine Habz pulled off one of the night’s most dramatic comebacks. Trailing with just 100 metres to go, Habz unleashed a ferocious kick to overtake Kenya’s former world champion Timothy Cheruiyot, snatching victory in a nail-biting finish by a mere 0.03 seconds.

Eyes on the Future

As the 2025 athletics season builds toward the World Championships and Olympic qualifiers, Chebet’s near-record in Rome has ignited global excitement. With her confidence growing and her form peaking, the stage is set for another attempt — and perhaps, this time, a rewriting of history.

For now, fans will be left marveling at what they witnessed in Rome: a night of speed, spirit, and searing potential — and the rise of Beatrice Chebet as one of the most electrifying athletes of her generation.