Epic finish in Bowerman Mile, world record in women’s 10,000 highlight Prefontaine Classic

EUGENE — Josh Kerr fought off Jakob Ingebrigtsen on an epic last lap to win the Bowerman Mile and Kenyan Beatrice Chebet treated the crowd at Hayward Field to a world record in the women’s 10,000 meters Saturday in an eventful Prefontaine Classic.

There was more. Star sprinter Sha’Carri Richardson took care of business in the women’s 100 meters and former University of Oregon star Jessica Hull claimed the Australian record in the women’s 1,500 on a cool, dry day before 12,009.

The world record in the 10,000 came early, in the day’s first elite event. The 10,000 had been billed as a world record attempt by Ethiopian Gudaf Tsegay, but Chebet of turned show stealer.

Tsegay led most of the way at a world record pace, but Chebet stayed with her as it turned into a two-woman battle for the last half of the race. As the pace slowed with three laps remaining, Chebet bolted past Gudaf and into the lead.

She only added to her advantage as she accelerated over the final 1,200 meters, fans in the stadium rising to their feet and roaring as she rocketed around the track. Chebet’s winning time was 28 minutes, 54.14, crushing the world record of 29:01.03 set by Letesenbet Gidey in 2021.

Tsegay came across second in 29:05.92, the third fastest women’s time ever. The two runners embraced at the finish line.

Chebet, who greeted reporters for her interview session in a “Stop Pre” T-shirt, said she was targeting the 5,000 for the Paris Olympics, but when Tsegay requested a world record pace, she decided to see what she could do with it.

“My body responded well,” Chebet said. “Then I decided to go.”

The rivalry between Kerr and Ingebrigtsen delivered another scintillating chapter. Kerr, the reigning world champion, grabbed the lead with 600 meters remaining. The race then quickly narrowed to Kerr and Ingebrigtsen.

Ingebrigtsen pressed Kerr hard over the final 200 but couldn’t catch him. Kerr’s winning time was 3:45.34, breaking the British record 3:46.32 that Steve Cram had held since 1985. Ingebrigtsen’s time was 3:45.60. Cram was in the stadium and congratulated Keff afterward.

“He said it was a long time coming, and he was very proud of me and the way I raced,” Kerr said.

Ethiopian Diribe Welteji ran away with the women’s 1,500, winning in 3:53.75. The excitement came behind her, where Hull made a strong move in the final 200 to overtake former U.S. champion Elle St. Pierre.

St. Pierre didn’t give up, but Hull held on to place second in 3:55.97 and reclaim the Australian record that had been held since last September by Linden Hall (3:56.92). St. Pierre crossed third with a time of 3:56.00.

“I knew I would have to do something somewhere within the last 300 meters,” Hull said. “I spent the whole back straight thinking, ‘Should it be now?’ Going into the turn I thought I’d better try.”

She did, and the big, crowd-pleasing move paid off. The all-Kenyan men’s 10,000 also brought fans to their feet, with Daniel Mateiko kicking to a winning time of 26:50.81. The top six finishers bettered 27 minutes in the race, which served as the Kenyan Olympic trials for the event.

Richardson, the reigning world champion, dusted the field to win the women’s 100 in 10.83. Julien Alfred, a distant second in 10.93, was the only other woman to crack 11 seconds. Four-time Olympic gold medalist Elaine Thompson-Herah came in ninth.

Richardson was almost as quick through the interview area as she was on the track.

Asked about her plans between now and next month’s U.S. Olympic trials, she said, “Grinding, focusing and getting ready for the trials.”

Olympic gold medalist Valarie Allman claimed the women’s discus with a best throw of 221 feet, edging Cuban Yaime Perez, second in 220-7. Former Oregon star Jorinde van Klinken came in third at 212-10. It was van Klinken’s second appearance at Pre in as many years. She was fourth in 2023.

“It was a cooler experience this year than last year,” she said. “The crowd was even more involved this time. I was ready to throw far, and the Hayward magic was there again.”

Former world champ Christian Coleman parlayed a lightning start into a first-place finish in the men’s 100 in 9.95. Coleman had to hold off surging Ferdinand Omanyala, second in 9.98. As Coleman said later, it was all in a day’s work.

“For me, it’s not even about the times,” he said. “I just want to get out there, execute and compete every time – especially in the Diamond League. … Every race isn’t going to be perfect. So, the focus is on competing and getting a win.”

Canadian Camryn Rogers won a spirited women’s hammer competition in which the top three finishers bettered the meet record.

Rogers’ winning throw of 255 feet, 1 inch came on the last of her six attempts. U.S. throwers DeAnna Price and Brooke Andersen were second and third with marks of 251-9 and 250-5 respectively. The meet record had been 249-3, set by Tatyana Lysenko in 2010.

Here are complete results from the 2024 Prefontaine Classic.

— Ken Goe for The Oregonian/OregonLive