Beatrice Chepkoech Leads a Host of Speedy Performances in Monaco

By Adam Kopet

The fast times on the track just kept coming on a warm and humid night in Monaco at the Herculis, the latest stop on the Diamond League tour.

No performance was greater than that of Beatrice Chepkoech of Kenya in the women's 3,000-meter steeplechase. World record pace was requested and it was given on the way to a smashing of the world record in 8:44.32.

RESULTS

Chepkoech, with the aid of a pacer, completed the first kilometer in about 2:55. She then passed two kilometers in about 5:49, completing the second kilometer alone. From there, Chepkoech just needed to hold on. And she did, finishing more than eight seconds ahead of the previous world record, held by Bahrain's Ruth Jebet.

Incidentally, the Athletics Integrity Unit announced it would make the legal process surrounding doping offenses more transparent. As part of that transparency, doping officials confirmed Jebet has had a positive test for the blood-boosting drug, EPO. Her case is currently before the IAAF Disciplinary Tribunal.

However, the women's steeplechase was not just a single fast time. Finishing second in the race was Courtney Frerichs, earning an American record in 9:00.85. It was an improvement of nearly three seconds from her previous best set last year when she secured silver at the IAAF World Outdoor Championships.

Behind Frerichs was Hyvin Kiyeng of Kenya in 9:04.41 and Emma Coburn in 9:05.06. It was a season's best for Coburn, but it was the first time in her career that she lost to Frerichs in a steeplechase race. Coburn had prevailed in 13 steeplechase races against Frerichs before Friday and hadn't lost to any American since Stephanie Garcia finished ahead of her at the Brussels Diamond League race Sept. 8, 2015.

The rest of the day was nearly as good. The track events started off with Shaunae Miller-Uibo winning the 400 meters in a No. 10 all-time 48.97. It was a personal best and Diamond League record for the Bahamian sprinter. Bahrain's Salwa Eid Naser finished second in 49.08.

The men's 800 meters, although not a Diamond League event, showed what can happen when the field follows a strong opening lap by the pacer. Nijel Amos of Botswana, who runs for Oregon Track Club Elite, held on to win in 1:42.14. It was the fastest time run in the world since the 2012 Olympic 800-meter final. Brandon McBride finished second in a Canadian record 1:42.20.

In the sprints, Noah Lyles continued to impress. After entering the stadium with a somersault, Lyles showed he is a better sprinter than gymnast, running 19.65 for 200 meters. That is a personal best and a new world lead. Lyles celebrated his win with a back flip, much to the crowd's delight. He is now equal to the No. 8 performer of all-time.

The men's 1,500 meters continued the trend of hosting world-leading performances, as four of the past five season-ending world-leading times were run in Monaco. Timothy Cheruiyot of Kenya used another strong finish to pull away from the field to win a world-leading 3:28.41. Elijah Manangoi of Kenya finished second in 3:29.64 and Norway's Filip Ingebrigtsen was third in 3:30.01.

Using a bold move in the final 100 meters in that 1,500 was Jakob Ingebrigtsen. The still 17-year old finished fourth behind his older brother in a European U-20 record of 3:31.18. Now all three Ingebrigtsen brothers have run 3:31 or faster.

The men's 3,000-meter steeplechase featured several athletes chasing a fast time. Evan Jager took up the pace in the closing laps, trying to run under eight minutes for the first time in his career. However, it was Rabat Diamond League winner Soufiane El Bakkali of Morocco who had the best finish. He crossed the finish line in a world-leading 7:58.15. Jager finished second in 8:01.02, a season's best.

The field events saw several strong competitions. The women's pole vault proved to be one of the deepest ever. Eight athletes cleared 15-7 (4.75m) and four cleared 15-9 (4.80m). In the end, it was the authorized neutral athlete from Russia Anzhelika Sidorova who won as the only jumper to clear 15-11 (4.85m). Yarisley Silva of Cuba and Katerina Stefanidi of Greece tied for second with 15-9 clearances. Sandi Morris finished fourth, also with a 15-9 clearance, but she took three attempts to get over her final height, instead of first attempt makes from her competitors.

Without the presence of world leader Mutaz Essa Barshim in the men's high jump, Danil Lysenko, an authorized neutral athlete from Russia, equaled the world lead of 7-10.50 (2.40m). Lysenko jumped a clean card throughout the competition with first-attempt makes at every height he contested.

In the men's triple jump, Christian Taylor had one of his most consistent competitions of the year. All five of his attempts were 57-5 (17.50m) or longer. His winning jump of 58-7.25 (17.86m) came in the second round. Portugal's Pedro Pablo Pichardo finished second with a mark of 57-11.75 (17.67m).

Diamond League action shifts to London on Saturday and Sunday.