By Linden Moore
Kenyan Faith Kipyegon battled sun and wind as she won her second consecutive 1,500-meter race at Hayward Field on Saturday, crossing the finish line with a time of 3 minutes, 59.67 seconds in her second Prefontaine Classic.
“I’m so happy about the race today,” she said. “The weather was very good. It was windy, so it was normal.”
Kipyegon had a similar finish last year. She won the 1,500 at her first Prefontaine Classic in with a personal record of 3:56.41 in her Hayward Field debut.
“I’m training to work hard and forecast for the best,” Kipyegon said. “I know the 1,500 is a tactical race and everybody can win.”
The 23-year-old won the 1,500 at the Shanghai Diamond League event in both 2016 and 2017. She set a Kenyan national record of 3:56.82 in 2016, then returned this year and win again with 3:59.22.
“In Shanghai I ran under 4, so I’m happy,” she said. “I’m progressing well toward world championships, so I’m hoping for the best.”
Kipyegon is now focusing on the 2017 world championships in London. While she was happy with Saturday’s result, her goal is to run under 3:56 in her next race.
“I can say it’s the starting of the season so we’re still keeping on,” Kipyegon said. “To go to the world championship, it will be better.”
Olympian Shannon Rowbury finished ninth at 4:04.61.
“It was tough—I felt good overall, but it’s early season and I’m trying to get myself ready for nationals,” Rowbury said. “I’m healthy and training well—just usual the beginning of the season.”
Kate Grace came in seventh at 4:03.59, a personal best for the newly sponsored Nike athlete.
“It was PR, so that was positive,” she said “It was definitely a first race in a field that was that legit. I wasn’t expecting to run in first—it’s good practice.”
