2020 has been a strange year. It did not stop athletes to train hard. We have seen few world records at the end of summer 2020.
We started 2020, with 4 world records in February, and here are the highlights of the summer season 2020:
This week, there was the last Diamond League athletics meeting in Rome 2020. Great performances especially with the outdoor world record of Duplantis.
Rome Diamond League 2020:
Great race on the 3000m with Sean Tobin, pacing 60″ lap for the first mile (sub 4min mile). You can see the 3000m race:
Jacob Kiplimo of Uganda won in 7’26.64″ in front of Jakob Ingebrigtsen of Norway in 7’27.05″. Both get their Personal best and got #8 and #9 on the world all-time rankings.
The race was fast: Stewy McSweyn finished third and get the Oceania record in 7’28.03″ and Yeman Crippa ran an Italian record in 7’38.27″.
You can watch the highlights of the meeting:
Prag Half Marathon
On the Saturday 5th of September in the morning, Prag half marathon went ahead with a limited field of top athletes. They organized 2 races : Female and Males.
This event was sponsorized by Adidas for the release of their new shoes : Adizero Adios Pro Colourway.
The route was modified from the original race and limited to a short 1280m loop to be completed 16.5 times.
Female Half-Marathon
the small field of nine athletes started at 6:20 am in Prag.
Two Pace makers (Brenda Jepleting and Lilian Jepkorir Chebii) were leading the race for the first twenty minutes, running the first 5km in 15’20”.
After 20 minutes, Peres Jepchirchir accelerated and finished on her own. She ran strong passing the 10km mark in 30’32”.
Peres was not able to keep the pace during the second part of the race, but was able to close the race in 1:05’34”, getting the new Half-Marathon “female-only” world record.
The female Half-Marathon world record is 1:04’31”, from Ababel Yeshaneh in February 2020.
The previous record was set by Netsanet Gudeta (ETH), during the World Half Marathon Championship 2018 in 1:06’11”.
| Rank | Name | Nationality | Official Time |
| 1 | Peres JEPCHIRCHIR | KEN | 01:05:34 WR |
| 2 | Brenda JEPLETING | KEN | 01:07:07 |
| 3 | Dorcas Jepchumba KIMELI | KEN | 01:07:14 |
| 4 | Edith CHELIMO | KEN | 01:07:16 |
| 5 | Sheila CHEPKIRUI | KEN | 01:07:37 |
| 6 | Vibian CHEPKIRUI | KEN | 01:09:09 |
| 7 | Lilian Jepkorir CHEBII | KEN | 01:11:02 |
Male Half-Marathon
The men field started at 8:00 am on the same loop, but suffered from the heat.
The Pacers lead the field for the first 10km, then Kibiwott Kandie broke away to finish alone in 58’38”.
| Rank | Name | Nationality | Official Time |
| 1 | Kibiwott KANDIE | KEN | 00:58:38 |
| 2 | Philemon Kiplimo KIMAIYO | KEN | 00:59:56 |
| 3 | Benson KIPRUTO | KEN | 01:00:06 |
| 4 | Amos Kurgat KIBIWOT | KEN | 01:00:20 |
| 5 | Felix KIPKOECH | KEN | 01:00:40 |
| 6 | Timothy Kibet KOSGEI | KEN | 01:00:47 |
| 7 | Benard KIMELI | KEN | 01:01:00 |
| 8 | Abel KIPCHUMBA | KEN | 01:01:02 |
| 9 | Bravin Kipkogei KIPTOO | KEN | 01:01:23 |
| 10 | Alfred Chelal BARKACH | KEN | 01:01:32 |
| 11 | Kennedy KIMUTAI | KEN | 01:01:54 |
| 12 | Bethwell Biwott YEGON | KEN | 01:01:55 |
| 13 | Lucas Kimeli ROTICH | KEN | 01:02:08 |
| 14 | Henry RONO | KEN | 01:02:52 |
| 15 | Victor KIPRUTO | KEN | 01:03:40 |
| 16 | Meshack Kiprop KOECH | KEN | 01:05:18 |
Diamon League Brussels 2020:
In an empty stadium, the organizer were able to put in place a great meeting for the top athletes. The highlight of the evening was the track one hour for both females and males.
We saw world records in both races to end the summer 2020. The track one hour is not so common.
In the following video, you can enjoy the highlight of the competition:
We saw great performances on the female 1000m (KIPYEGON Faith – 2’29.92″), men 1500m (INGEBRIGTSEN Jakob – 3’30.69″), female high jump (McDERMOTT Nicola – 1.91m) and men pole vault (DUPLANTIS Armand – 6m – Meeting record).
One hour Ladies – World record:
This race was interesting with Sifan Hassan, running away in the last minute away from Brigid Kosgei (the current Marathon world record holder : 2:14′). The duo was running together during the last part of the race.
Later Brigid Kosgei (who was running her first competitive track race) was disqualified for running in the inner curb of the track, leaving Eva Cherono with the African Record.
Sifan Hassan is the fourth lady to get the record:
– Silvana Cruciata (ITA) – Rome 1981 : 18,084m
– Telga Loroupe (KEN) – Borgholzhausen 1998 : 18,340m
– Dire Tune (ETH) – Ostrava 2008 : 18,517m
| Rank | Name | Nationality | Result |
| 1 | HASSAN Sifan | NED | 18.930 WR |
| 2 | SALPETER Lonah Chemtai | ISR | 18.571 |
| 3 | CHERONO Eva | KEN | 18.341 AR |
| 4 | BEKELE Helen | ETH | 17.974 NR |
| 5 | LAHTI Sarah | SWE | 17.955 |
| 6 | GALIMANY Marta | ESP | 17.546 NR |
| 7 | LOYO Elena | ESP | 17.335 |
| 8 | AMEBAW Likina | ETH | 17.323 |
| 9 | LAUWAERT Nina | BEL | 17.315 NR |
| CHELANGAT Sheila | KEN | DNF | |
| VANDENBUSSCHE Hanna | BEL | DNF | |
| KOSGEI Brigid | KEN | DQ |
On the following video, you can wath the race:
One hour Men – 2 x World record:
During the last few weeks, Mo Farah announced that he was going to challenge the one hour world record from Haile Gebreselassie (21,285m – Ostrava in 2007).
The one hour race is not often part of the big meetings. Only 14 athletes hold the record (starting with Alfred Shrubb in 1904 : 18,742m).
In Brussels, Mo had pacers who launched him during the first 30 minutes. He finished the race with his training partner Bashir ABDI. Mo was leading until 55 minutes, when Bashir overtook, and led the duo for the next four minutes.
Bashir Abdi ran the 20km in 56’20” for a new World Record, beating Haile Gebreselassie world record (56’26” during his 1hour world record).
Then one minute before the end, Mo started to push hard and was flying to his first world record, to close the hour with 21,330 meters.
| Rank | Name | Nationality | Result |
| 1 | FARAH, Mo | GBR | 21.330 WR |
| 2 | ABDI, Bashir | BEL | 21.322 NR |
| 3 | MILLÁN DE LA OLIVA, Emil | SWE | 20.128 NR |
| 4 | ALI, Mohamed | NED | 20.055NR |
| 5 | ULAD, Adbi Hakin | DEN | 19.985 NR |
| BOUCHIKHI, Soufiane | BEL | DNF | |
| CHOQUERT, Benjamin | FRA | DNF | |
| DEBOGNIES, Simon | BEL | DNF | |
| KETER, Robert | KEN | DNF | |
| KIPROTICH, Peter | KEN | DNF | |
| KIPTUM, Kelvin | KEN | DNF | |
| NILSSON, David | SWE | DNF | |
| SÁNCHEZ, Albert | ESP | DNF |
On the following video, you can wath the race:
Diamond League in Lausanne 2020:
This year in Lausanne, the competition is limited to Pole Vault only. We had a great competition with the best athletes in the world.
Armand Duplantis, the current world record holder (6.18m) is going to try to beat his own World records at the end of summer 2020.
In the following tables, the results of both competitions:
| Place | Name | Nationality | Result |
| 1 | BENGTSSON, Angelica | SWE | 4.72 |
| 2 | BRADSHAW, Holly | GBR | 4.64 |
| 3 | MOSER, Angelica | SUI | 4.64 |
| 4 | MEIJER, Michaela | SWE | 4.64 |
| 5 | LOTOUT, Marion | FRA | 4.54 |
| 6 | HODEL, Andrina | SUI | 4.34 |
| 7 | PEINADO, Robeilys | VEN | 4.34 |
| 8 | MALÁCOVÁ, Romana | CZE | 4.17 |
| ŠUTEJ, Tina | SLO | NM |
| Place | Name | Nationality | Result |
| 1 | DUPLANTIS, Armand | SWE | 6.07 |
| 2 | KENDRICKS, Sam | USA | 6.02 |
| 3 | BRAZ, Thiago | BRA | 5.72 |
| 4 | LAVILLENIE, Renaud | FRA | 5.72 |
| 5 | WALSH, Cole | USA | 5.62 |
| 6 | COLLET, Thibaut | FRA | 5.62 |
| 7 | NILSEN, Christopher | USA | 5.62 |
| 8 | WOJCIECHOWSKI, Pawel | POL | 5.62 |
| 9 | STECCHI, Claudio Michel | ITA | 5.52 |
In the following video, the full competition:
Diamond League in Monaco 2020:
Very entertening Friday evening with the Diamond league in Monaco. Limited field, but as always in Monaco very fast performances. We were looking to see many World records at the end of summer 2020.
Ciara MAGEEAN finished 3rd of the 1000m, getting the new Irish record in 2’31.06″.
5km Track World Record
The new 5km World Record by Cheptegei was certainly the most impressive. He claimed during the week that he was going to go for it. He was feeling strong, but many of us were having doubt.
Bekele’s old record from 16 years ago was really impressive 12’37” (2’31″/km or 61″ per lap).
The race was perfect for Cheptegei who was following his 3 pacers for the first part of the race in an impressive pace. The pace was perfect, he started “slow” for the first 3 km, then picked-up the pace slighlty:
– 1,000m 2’31.87″
– 2,000m 5’03.77″ (2’31.90″)
– 3,000m 7’35.14″ (2’31.37″)
– 4,000m 10’05.46″ (2’30.32″)
– 5,000m 12’35.36″ (2’29.90″)
The highlights of the race:
Other races
Many other great results in Monaco:
Rest of the 2020 season:
We are all waiting for the London Marathon on the fourth of October 2020. There is a virtual marathon open for all runners in parallel.
The race is going to happen in a close circuit of 2.15km (1.34 miles). The athletes are going to run clockwise, with 19 loops around St James Park. The finish is on the Mall in front of Buckingham Palace. This close circuit will be a “secure biosphere”.
The field is composed of the best marathon runners in the world, including both female and male world record holder. In the men field, we are all looking forward to see the best marathon runners of all time with Kipchoge and Bekele.
The Women race looks easier for Brigid Kosgei. But the marathon is always full of surprises and many athletes have the possibility to win or be on the podium.
Female Athletes
Brigid Kosgei (KEN) – PB: 2:14’04” World Record
Ruth Chepngetich (KEN) – PB: 2:17’08”
Roza Dereje (ETH) – PB: 2:18’30”
Vivian Cheruiyot (KEN) – PB: 2:18’31”
Valary Jemeli (KEN) – PB: 2:19’10”
Degitu Azimeraw (ETH) – PB: 2:19’26”
Ashete Bekere (ETH) – PB: 2:20’14”
Alemu Megertu (ETH) – PB: 2:21’10”
Sara Hall (USA) – PB: 2:22’16”
Sinead Diver (AUS) – PB: 2:24’11”
Carla Salome Rocha (POR) – PB: 2:24’47”
Ellie Pashley (AUS) – PB: 2:26’21”
Sara Caterina Ribeiro (POR) – PB: 2:26’39”
Steph Twell (GBR) – PB: 2:26’40”
Anna Hahner (GER) – PB: 2:26’44”
Molly Seidel (USA) – PB: 2:27’31”
Gerda Steyn (RSA) – PB: 2:27’48”
Lindsay Flanagan (USA) – PB: 2:28’05”
Darya Mykhaylova (UKR) – PB: 2:28’15”
Lisa Hahner (GER) – PB: 2:28’39”
Lily Partridge (GBR) – PB: 2:29’24”
Tracy Barlow (GBR) – PB: 2:30’42”
Natasha Cockram (GBR) – PB: 2:30’49”
Risper Gesabwa (MEX) – PB: 2:30’59”
Tish Jones (GBR) – PB: 2:31’00”
Monika Bytautiene (LTU) – PB: 2:32’28”
Bo Ummels (NED) – PB: 2:32’34”
Helen Davies (GBR) – PB: 2:34’06”
Naomi Mitchell (GBR) – PB: 2:37’51”
Edith Chelimo (KEN) – Debut
Female Pacers
Pauline Kamulu (KEN)
Sandrafelis Chebet Tuei (KEN)
Lydia Mathathi (KEN)
Aly Dixon (GBR)
Dani Nimmock (GBR)
Nancy Jelagat (KEN)
Charlotte Arter (GBR)
Susan Krumins (NED)
Top Male Athletes (sub 2h10′)
Eliud Kipchoge (KEN) – PB: 2:01’39” – World Record
Kenenisa Bekele (KEN) – PB: 2:01’41”
Mosinet Geremew (ETH) – PB: 2:02’55”
Mule Wasihun (ETH) – PB: 2:03’16”
Sisay Lemma (ETH) – PB: 2:03’36”
Tamirat Tola (ETH) – PB: 2:04’06”
Marius Kipserem (KEN) – PB: 2:04’11”
Shura Kitata (ETH) – PB: 2:04’49”
Vincent Kipchumba (KEN) – PB: 2:05’09”
Sondre Nordstad Moen (NOR) – PB: 2:05’48”
Gideon Kipketer (KEN) – PB: 2:05’51”
Arne Gabius (GER) – PB: 2:08’33”
Jared Ward (USA) – PB: 2:09’25”
Cam Levins (CAN) – PB: 2:09’25”
Other Male Athletes:
Jonny Mellor (GBR) – PB: 2:10’03”
Elroy Gelant (RSA) – PB: 2:10’31”
Daniele Meucci (ITA) – PB: 2:10’45”
Brett Robinson (AUS) – PB: 2:10’55”
Juan Luis Barrios (MEX) – PB: 2:10’55”
Peter Herzog (AUT) – PB: 2:10’57”
Jack Rayner (AUS) – PB: 2:11’06”
Chris Thompson (GBR) – PB: 2:11’19”
Stephen Scullion (IRL) – PB: 2:11’52”
Remigijus Kancys (LTU) – PB: 2:12’50”
Florian Carvalho (FRA) – PB: 2:12’53”
Tristan Woodfine (CAN) – PB: 2:13’16”
Michael Clohisey (IRL) – PB: 2:13’19”
Frank Futselaar (NED) – PB: 2:14’06”
Charlie Hulson (GBR) – PB: 2:14’22”
Joshua Griffiths (GBR) – PB: 2:14’25”
Nick Earl (GBR) – PB: 2:14’38”
Justin Mahieu (BEL) – PB: 2:14’43”
Melikhaya Frans (RSA) – PB: 2:14’57”
Nicholas Torry (GBR) – PB: 2:15’04”
Peter Le Grice (GBR) – PB: 2:16’22”
Andreas Myhre Sjurseth (NOR) – PB: 2:16’37”
Paul Marteletti (GBR) – PB: 2:16’49”
Adam Hickey (GBR) – PB: 2:16’56”
Aaron Scott (GBR) – PB: 2:16’57”
Dan Nash (GBR) – PB: 2:18’51”
Ollie Lockley (GBR) – PB: 2:25’28”
Ben Connor (GBR) – Debut
Josh Lunn (GBR) – Debut
Ross Millington (GBR) – Debut
Jack Gray (GBR) – Debut
Male Pacers
Noah Kipkemboi (KEN)
Victor Chumo (KEN)
Eric Kiptanui (KEN)
Alfred Barkach (KEN)
Shadrack Kimining (KEN)
Matt Clowes (GBR)
Sir Mo Farah (GBR)
Jake Smith (GBR)
In conclusion, we enjoyed many World records end of summer 2020.
Furthermore, if you want to joing the London Marathon 2021 (in October 2021):
2021 ballot
The public ballot for the 2021 Virgin Money London Marathon will open to all on Sunday 4 October 2020, the day of this year’s event.
The ballot will remain open for six days to give everyone who would like to enter the event a fair chance to do so. The 2021 ballot will close at 17:00 on Friday 9 October 2020.
The 2021 Virgin Money London Marathon will take place on Sunday 3 October 2021.
The ballot results will be announced in early January 2021.