Ethiopia’s Diribe Welteji turned the tables on Kenya’s Faith Kipyegon to win the inaugural women's world mile title in a world record of 4:20.98 at the World Athletics Road Running Championships Riga Sunday.
Kicking away from Faith, the multiple world champion and world record-holder on the track, Diribie, world 1500m silver medalist, didn’t look back as they passed the Freedom Monument in the closing stages of the race.
The 21-year-old strode to her first senior title, eventually leading an Ethiopian top two as Frewoyni Hailu passed Faith in the closing stages and got the silver – 4:23.06 to 4:24.13.
As she took to streets of the Latvian capital, Riga for her first ever road race, Faith looked focused as she went straight to the front and the field quickly strung out behind her.
But she was joined by Ethiopia’s Diribie, Firewoyni Hailu and her Kenyan compatriot Nelly Chepchirchir and it soon became clear that those four athletes would be battling for the three places on the podium.
Faith and Diribie had opened up a gap on Firewoini and Nelly after a kilometre of running and were two seconds ahead at that point, passing the 1km mark in 2:41.00.
As they raced towards the finish in Riga’s old town, Faith was looking a little less comfortable. Glancing over her shoulder, she couldn’t hold off the well-judged attack from Diribie, who passed her as they ran by the central landmark.
Breaking the tape, Diribie won her first senior world title in 4:20.98, improving on the inaugural road mile record of 4:27.97 set by Nikki Hiltz in Des Moines in April.
Firewoini followed her teammate over the finish line to secure the silver, while Faith got the bronze.
“It was hard, the weather is not good for me,” said Diribie. “When I saw Faith in front, near the line, at that moment I decided to sprint. I could sense that she was tired, and I had it in my mind: 'I can beat her.'
“I came here to win, to write history and to motivate the new generations of our athletes.”
Firewoini was also delighted with her performance. “It is a big honour for me to be a part of this competition,” she said. “I am proud to have won a silver medal for Ethiopia.”
Despite passing a successful year, Faith said she was a bit tired on her first road race Sunday, according to World Athletics.