Beatrice Chepkoech beaten to third in 3000m race in France

World 3000m steeplechase record holder, Beatrice Chepkoech was beaten to third place in the women 3000m race at the 30th edition of the Meeting Hauts-de-France Pas-de-Calais held on Friday evening at the at Arena Stade Couvert in Liévin, France.

The 32 year-old who is also the reigning World silver medallist, was beaten by the World 1500m indoor record holder, Gudaf Tsegay of Ethiopia who won the race in a world leading time of 8:17.11 which is also the third fastest time in history and the second best time in her career after her life time best of 8:16.69 that she got last year in Birmingham.

Tsegay led a 1-2 Ethiopian podium finish as she was followed in second place by the reigning world 1500m indoor champion, Hirut Meshesha in 8:29.71 with Chepkoech closing the podium three finishes in a new personal best of 8:30.87.

“It’s a very fast time, but I know I was capable of breaking the world record. The first lap was very fast, but after that the pace slowed down. My focus is not on the indoor season. I focus on the Olympic Games. It’s my big dream. I am not sure if I will be competing at the World Indoor Championships, but I wanted to run here in Liévin because I have good memories on this track. I broke the world record in 2021” , said Tsegay.

Ethiopia’s Wubrist Ashal and Kenya’s Winnie Jemutai finished in fourth and fifth place in respective time of 8:40/97 (SB) and 8:45.17.

The world record of 8:16.60 set ten years ago by Ethiopia’s Genzebe Dibaba remains standing.