Norway’s Jakob Ingebrigtsen began what was a night of records by shattering the long-standing world best in the two miles in the Paris Diamond League on Friday (9) evening.
The world best of 7:58.61 had stood to Kenya’s Daniel Komen since 1997 but Ingebrigtsen took a sledgehammer to the venerable record, crossing the finish-line in a sold out Charlety Stadium in 7:54.10.
The pacemakers took Ingebrigtsen beyond the two kilometre mark ahead of record pace but the Norwegian still had at least another gear left at his disposal. The 22-year-old covered the 800m between 2400-3200m in 1:53.6 which put ample distance between himself and the wavelights which were set to world record pace.
“Being able to make this record feels amazing. It is my first world best outdoors. The pace felt very smooth for me, coming out of the 1500m. I would say it was a good race. The public was amazing, without their help, it would have been more difficult. I was a bit surprised about the time in the end,” said Ingebrigtsen.
Among his many accolades, Ingebrigtsen holds the world indoor 1500m record (3:30.60) as well as European outdoor records in the 1500m (3:28.23) and 5000m (12:48.45). His 3000m split tonight was timed at 7:23.8 which is also faster than the European record of 7:24.68.
Ingebrigtsen will be back in action next Thursday when he headlines the 1500m. Will the record books be rewritten once again?
In her first race since retaining her European indoor title, Keely Hodgkinson was left incredulous by her performance in the 800m.
Having dealt with some niggles since the indoor season, Hodgkinson was coy about her prospects on the eve of her season's debut but she looked in complete command as she powered to victory in a world lead of 1:55.77, shaving 0.11 from her British record and European U23 record which she set at the Tokyo Olympics where she won silver.
“I am a little bit shocked that I ran so fast,” said Hodgkinson. “The weather was really nice, so warm. I had heard good things about the track. With this full stadium and the great crowd, it was amazing. I am so happy. Now the aim is to stay healthy, we still have to see, I want to keep running fast. The focus is on the summer, on Budapest.”
On the road to Budapest, Hodgkinson has said she could race in the 400m at the European Athletics U23 Championships in Espoo in July to sharpen up in a bid for her first global title at the World Athletics Championships.