Faith Kipyegon returns to the track on July 10, competing in the women's 3000m at the Monaco Diamond League meeting. She suffered a rare defeat at the Prefontaine Classic on July 4.
What happened?
Faith Kipyegon's five-year winning streak in the Diamond League 1500m and mile races ended at the Prefontaine Classic. American Nikki Hiltz overtook her in the closing stages of the women's mile.
Why it matters for Faith Kipyegon
The Monaco race is an opportunity for Kipyegon to test herself against a world-class field over a longer distance. She has spoken about challenging herself by taking on races beyond the 1500m as her career progresses.
The women's 3000m field features several leading distance runners, including fellow Kenyan Agnes Ngetich, who won the Mastercard New York Mini 10K in 30:06 in June. Italy's Nadia Battocletti, Australia's Jessica Hull, and Canada's Gabriela Debues-Stafford are also competing.
What comes next?
Kipyegon's transition to longer events gained momentum after she claimed her fourth world 1500m title and a silver medal in the 5000m at the 2025 World Athletics Championships in Tokyo. She intends to continue racing the 1500m while preparing for longer events, including the 3000m, 5000m, and women's road races.
The Monaco Diamond League meeting takes place at Stade Louis II, a venue where Kipyegon has produced some of the greatest performances of her career. In 2023, she set the women's mile world record at 4:07.64 at the Wanda Diamond League meeting.
Kipyegon will be joined by Ethiopia's Freweyni Hailu, Senayet Getachew, Aleshign Baweke, Bernesh Dessie, and Yenenesh Shimket in the women's 3000m. The event promises to be one of the most highly anticipated of the meeting.
Faith Kipyegon's return to the track is highly anticipated, as she looks to bounce back from her defeat at the Prefontaine Classic. The Monaco Diamond League meeting provides an opportunity for her to compete against a strong field and continue her progression in longer-distance events.
The women's 3000m at the Monaco Diamond League meeting is scheduled to take place on July 10. Faith Kipyegon will be looking to produce a strong performance, as she continues to expand her racing programme and challenge herself against the best distance runners in the world.