Dibaba tops outstanding women’s 5000m field in Eugene

Eugene, Oregon -Gold medallists and world record holders will be lined up for what could be a stunning women’s 5,000m at the 2015 IAAF Diamond League meeting in Eugene, after the 41st Prefontaine Classic meeting organisers announced an outstanding field here today.

Genzebe Dibaba owns three indoor world records – over 1500m, 3000m and 5000m – and she just missed the 5km world best on the roads by two seconds on a windy day in Carlsbad just over a week ago.

Now the 24-year-old Ethiopian is ready again to test the best on the outdoor track in her first appearance at the Prefontaine Classic.

She would also very much like to claim the Dibaba family record for the distance of 14:11.15 from her older sister Tirunesh, who is currently on maternity leave, a mark which is actually the world record.

Vivian Cheruiyot of Kenya is a four-time world champion, twice on the track and twice at cross country, and is returning from maternity leave after giving birth to her son in October 2013.

Cheruiyot, the 2011 world 5000m and 10,000m champion, has won twice in three races at the Pre Classic, in 2011 setting the meeting and Hayward Field record of 14:33.96.

As strong as Dibaba and Cheruiyot might be, there will be no shortage of talent challenging the big two. Ethiopia’s Almaz Ayana was the only woman to beat Genzebe Dibaba last year at this distance, taking the African title by almost 10 seconds.

Kenya’s Viola Kibiwot has made her country’s past four IAAF World Championships teams, as well as the past two Olympic teams and is also a former world junior champion on the track and at cross country.

Hiwot Ayalew of Ethiopia is better known as a steeplechase but could also be in the mix. In 2013, she got a silver medal at the IAAF World Cross Country Championships.

Read more at: IAAF.org