Ethiopia’s Diribe Woltegi breaks world mile record in Riga 2023

Addis Ababa, October 1, 2023 (FBC) – 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 4:21.00* at the World Athletics Road Running Championships Riga 23 on Sunday (1).

Kicking away from Kipyegon – the multiple world champion and world record-holder – as they passed the Freedom Monument in the Latvian capital, world 5000m silver medallist Diribe Welteji didn’t look back.

The 21-year-old strode to her first senior title, eventually leading an Ethiopian top two as Freweyni Hailu passed Kipyegon in the closing stages and got the silver – 4:23.06 to 4:24.13.