The 32-year-old, who is the world record holder for the 1,500 metres and the mile, and is the former world record holder for the 5,000 metres, finished the race after running 14:24.14.
Kipyegon, who was contesting her first track race of the year, edged a race in which Ethiopian athletes took the next seven places. Likina Amebaw was second in a Personal Best of 14:24.21, and Senayet Getachew was third in 14:24.71.
Kipyegon’s dominant run saw her shatter the previous world-leading mark by nearly 20 seconds.
Kipyegon has dared to dream
Kenya’s Sports Cabinet Secretary Salim Mvurya led the nation to celebrate Kipyegon. Mvurya further lauded Kipyegon’s determination, discipline and consistency, saying her ability to continuously push human limits makes her one of the most inspirational athletes of the modern era.
Mvurya said: “Congratulations Faith (Kipyegon) on opening your 2026 track season in spectacular fashion with a world-leading 5000m performance of 14:24.14 at the Diamond League in Shanghai, China.”
“Faith has once again dared to dream, challenged herself and put the limits of her endurance to the test, and today, the world is once again in awe of her greatness, proving why she remains one of the greatest athletes of our generation after smashing the previous world-leading mark by nearly 20 seconds.
“Kenya proudly celebrates your remarkable achievement, endurance, and unwavering pursuit of excellence."
”Kipyegon said after the race: “Opening the season with a win feels good. Thank you, Shanghai.”
At the 2024 Paris Olympics, Kipyegon became the first athlete ever to win three consecutive gold medals in the 1500 m women’s race, where she also set a new Olympic record.
In addition to the 1500 m, Kipyegon had previously earned a silver medal in the women's 5000 m, after successfully appealing a disqualification.
In the 100 metres, Kenya’s Ferdinand Omanyala finished second in 9.98 after replacing Kishane Thompson late in the line-up, while U.S. sprint double threat Kenny Bednarek also clocked 9.98 for third.
Speaking afterwards, Omanyala told Olympic.com: “I ran under 10, and I was satisfied, the result is good and we move on from there. Before the race, I had expected to run under 10, and now I have achieved that.”
Kenya’s Faith Cherotich demonstrated brilliance on the global stage with a spectacular performance in the Women’s 3000m Steeplechase, clocking an impressive season’s best of 8:51.48, securing second place.
Meanwhile, Reynold Cheruiyot pulled a sensational performance, clocking a personal best of 7:26.11 to finish second in the men’s 3000m.
Sawe to defend Berlin Marathon
After conquering the London Marathon, where he made history by becoming the first man to officially break the two-hour barrier in a competitive marathon, Sebastian Sawe has confirmed he will return to the BMW Berlin Marathon to defend his title at the World Athletics Platinum Label Road race.
Sawe took 65 seconds off the previous world record set by the late Kelvin Kiptum in Chicago in 2023, and surpassing Eliud Kipchoge’s 1:59:41 exhibition performance from 2019.
Sawe will now return to defend the Berlin Marathon on September 27th, a race he won with 2:02:16, which was then the second-fastest marathon of his career behind the 2:02:05 he ran in Valencia in 2024.
“I am very happy to return to the BMW Berlin Marathon this year and to defend my title,” Sawe told event organisers as quoted by the IAAF website.
“Many people may be wondering what my goals are this time. After coming off my win in London and sub-2 performance, I can only say that, like always.
“I plan to prepare myself to the best of my ability and to come to Berlin to honour this great event and organisation which has invited me, and to run as well and as fast as possible. Then, on that day, we will see what will happen.”
Sawe made his debut at the 2024 Valencia Marathon, winning in 2:02:05. At the 2026 London Marathon, he became the first person to run a sub-two-hour marathon in a record-eligible race, setting a world record of 1:59:30.
The marathon world record has been broken in Berlin on thirteen occasions. Most recently, Kipchoge set a new men’s world record in 2022 (2:01:09). Tigist Assefa set a new women’s world record in 2023 (2:11:53).
