Faith Kipyegon ended her 2024 season on a high after clinching the coveted 1500m title at the inaugural Athlos Event held in New York, United States on Friday morning.
Kipyegon ran a tactical race, producing a brilliant display in the last lap as she crossed the finish line in 4:04.79.
She was followed by Ethiopia’s Diribe Welteji and United States-based Kenyan runner Susan Ejore-Sanders.
Welteji and Ejore crossed the finishing line in 4:05.58 and 4:06.25 respectively ahead of the reigning 5000m world record holder Gudaf Tsegay.
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The fifth and sixth places went to home girl Cory McGee and Great Britain’s Katie Snowden, who clocked 4:07.09 and 4:07.57.
Speaking shortly after the race, Kipyegon said,” I think I am an inspiration to many young girls back at home and also in Africa. I started when I was about 15 years and I am still going strong. I believe I have inspired many,” the mother of one said.
The 30-year-old also had a special message when asked what advice she would give to her fellow mothers across the universe who may be undergoing different struggles.
“I will tell my fellow mums that they still have to wake up early in the morning to inspire their children and that they have to push to the limit. Children will not stop us from doing what we have to in life,” she ended.
Faith Kipyegon shines in Athlos event
In another race, Mary Moraa secured second position in the 800m race behind Ethiopia’s Tsige Duguma, who won a silver medal in the Paris Olympic Games.
Duguma led from the start to finish to cut the tape in 1:57.43, with Moraa following her closely in 1:58.05.
Jamaica’s Natoya Goule-Toppin settled for third in a time of 1:58.63 ahead of United States’ Addy Wiley (1:58.93), Uganda’s Halimah Nakaayi (1:59.62) and Wiley’s compatriot Nia Akins (2:01.32).
The top three finishers in each race are expected to pocket $60,000 (approximately Ksh 7,729,800), $25,000 (approximately Ksh 3,220,750) and $10,000 (approximately Ksh 1,288,300) in that order. The money is subject to the tax procedure.
In addition, the other athletes will also receive monetary awards, which makes the women-only event organized by Serena Williams’ husband Alexis Ohanian, a special one.
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Tujiamini is an initiative that seeks to provide a platform, including up to 30M shillings in funding, for individual, team sports and various talent, in a year-long campaign that will go around the country in a move aimed at evoking the sense of pride in Kenya’s sports and talent ecosystem.
Applicants are urged to submit their applications through www.tujiamini.co.ke