Three-time Olympic champion Faith Kipyegon made a stunning 10km debut at the Monaco Run. The Kenyan star won the race with a time of 29:46, outperforming even the fastest men in the field and signaling a new chapter in her road racing career.
Tactical Racing and a Power Finish in Monte Carlo
On Sunday, February 15, 2025, the running world focused its attention on the Monaco Run, where Faith Kipyegon made her first official appearance at the 10-kilometer distance. For an athlete who has historically dominated the 1500 meters, this marked her career debut on the roads at this distance. According to official results, Kipyegon clocked a time of 29:46, placing her 14th on the world all-time list for the event.
The achievement is even more unprecedented as Kipyegon crossed the finish line ahead of the fastest man in the race. The men’s category winner, Bernard Soi, finished in 29:47—one second behind the legendary runner. The women’s podium was completed by Maddie Jordan-Lee (34:23) and Augustine Emeraux (34:49).
The race was highly tactical. Kipyegon hit the 5km halfway mark in 14:59, running shoulder-to-shoulder with the lead men. She delivered a true masterclass in the second half; despite briefly losing the lead at the 7.5km mark, Faith responded with a powerful surge. This allowed her to clock a negative split, covering the second half of the course in approximately 14:48.
A Historic 2025 Season and a New Path for the World Record Holder
This success in Monaco crowns an extraordinary 2025 season in which Kipyegon achieved nearly everything in middle-distance running. In July, at the Prefontaine Classic, she broke her own 1500m world record with a time of 3:48.68. Shortly after, in Tokyo, she secured her fourth consecutive World Championship title, becoming the first woman in history to win that many gold medals in a single running event.
Beyond the track, Faith has been pushing boundaries in commercial projects like Nike Breaking4. In Paris, she recorded the fastest mile in women’s history (4:06.42), though the result was not ratified as a record due to non-standard race conditions. Her aerobic capacity is further evidenced by her success in the 5000 meters, including a 2023 World Championship title and Olympic silver in Paris.
Transitioning to the 10km road distance under the guidance of legendary coach Patrick Sang suggests that the Monaco Run was no one-off experiment. Sang, who managed the career of Eliud Kipchoge, has unique expertise in transforming track athletes into marathon champions. At 32, Kipyegon appears perfectly adapted for longer efforts, following the path blazed by Sifan Hassan and Letesenbet Gidey.
Ambitious Plans and Learning the Road
On social media, the athlete expressed her gratitude for the professional organization in Monaco. She emphasized that the 10km start was primarily a valuable lesson, noting that running on hard asphalt for over 30 minutes is a vastly different challenge than a dynamic four-minute effort on the track. “It’s about learning and understanding how the road works” the world record holder admitted in a pre-race interview.
The most significant takeaway for the running community is her clear declaration regarding the future. Kipyegon openly admitted that her victory at the Monaco Run is just the beginning of a journey aimed at a marathon debut. While the track remains her natural environment, the Kenyan is already looking forward to further challenges at longer road distances.
Experts suggest that her ability to maintain a high tempo combined with a lethal finishing kick makes her a favorite in any race, regardless of the surface. Winning in such convincing fashion over experienced competitors proves that Faith possesses the “aerobic engine” necessary to continue her dominance in the world of long-distance running.
A New Chapter in a Legendary Career
Faith Kipyegon’s victory in the Monaco Run is more than just another trophy; it is proof of the versatility that defines the greatest legends in sports. Her successful 10km debut proved that the athlete known as the “Smiling Destroyer” has potential that extends far beyond the stadium oval. Future seasons will reveal if she can dominate the marathon with the same ease she displayed for years in the 1500 meters.
Full Results: Monaco Run 2026
