The Prefontaine Classic adds a sixth Paris podium rematch to the meeting’s program with the Women’s 3,000m Steeplechase. The star-studded international lineup promises more world-class results at the meet’s 50th edition. Winfred Yavi (BRN) is the reigning Olympic gold medalist in the women’s steeplechase, and the current world-ranked No. 1 in the event. While Paris brought her her first-ever Olympic medal, Yavi already had global hardware to her name with the 2023 World Athletics Championships title and 2023 Diamond Trophy in the 3,000m steeplechase. Yavi’s best mark of 8:44.39 was set at last summer’s Rome Diamond League meeting, and stands as both the Bahraini national record and the area record. Yavi also owns national records in the indoor 3,000m short track (8:39.64) and 5,000m (14:41.99). Peruth Chemutai (UGA) is the reigning Olympic silver medalist in the women’s steeplechase, and the current world-ranked No. 2 in the event. A two-time Olympic medalist, Chemutai also won gold in the event at the Tokyo Olympic Games. Pre Classic fans may remember Chemutai from her thrilling victory at the 2024 Pre Classic, where her 8:55.09 set both a new world lead and a Ugandan national record in the event. Chemutai went on to break that national record with her 8:53.34 silver medal performance in Paris, then again just three weeks later with her 8:48.03 run at the Rome Diamond League meeting. Faith Cherotich (KEN) is the reigning Olympic bronze medalist in the women’s steeplechase, and the current world-ranked No. 3 in the event. Cherotich’s 8:55.15 run for Olympic bronze stands as her personal best mark. Cherotich is the reigning Wanda Diamond League champion for the women’s 3,000m steeplechase, earning her first-ever Diamond Trophy at the 2024 Diamond League Final. Cherotich owns more global hardware from the 2023 World Athletics Outdoor Championships Budapest23, where she earned a bronze medal; and the 2021 and 2022 World Athletics U20 Championships, where she earned bronze and gold medals, respectively. The 50th edition of The Prefontaine Classic will be held on Saturday, July 5 at Hayward Field at the University of Oregon. Tickets start at just $35 and may be purchased at PreClassic.com (PreClassic.com/tickets). Lexus Legacy Experience VIP packages, which can be purchased in addition to an event ticket, are on sale now at PreClassic.com (PreClassic.com/vip). Athlete fields are being updated on an ongoing basis. All athletes currently confirmed to compete at this year’s Pre Classic can be viewed at PreClassic.com (PreClassic.com/schedule). By Amos Amoako

The Prefontaine Classic will host the selection events for this year’s Athletics Kenya Women’s 5,000m and Men’s 10,000m World Athletics Championship teams, adding fast times and international stakes to the meet’s historic 50th edition.

The Pre Classic Women’s 5,000m, a Diamond Discipline, will feature Kenya’s top distance runners vying to make the team for this year’s World Athletics Championships Tokyo 25 in the international field. The field will be headlined by reigning Olympic gold medalist and 10,000m world record-holder Beatrice Chebet, who is currently ranked first in the world over 5,000m.

Chebet’s 10,000m world record was set at last year’s Prefontaine Classic in 28:54.14. Additional Kenyan entries will be determined by Athletics Kenya and updated at PreClassic.com (PreClassic.com/schedule). The entry standard for the World Athletics Championships Tokyo 25 Women’s 5,000m is 14:50.00. Eleven women were under this mark at the 2024 Pre Classic.

The Men’s 10,000m will be added to the meet’s program as a non-Diamond Discipline. The event is expected to feature Kenya’s top distance running talent as part of an elite international field. Last year’s Prefontaine Classic Men’s 10,000m, which also served as that year’s Athletics Kenya Olympic team selection event, was won by Kenya’s Daniel Mateiko in a world-leading time of 26:50.81. Kenyan entries will be determined by Athletics Kenya and updated at PreClassic.com (PreClassic.com/schedule). The entry standard for the World Athletics Championships Tokyo 25 Men’s 10,000m is 27:00.00. Six men were under this mark at the 2024 Pre Classic.

“The Prefontaine Classic is thrilled to once again host Athletics Kenya’s selection events for their global team,” said Pre Classic co-Meeting Director Jody Smith. “For fifty years, the Pre Classic has stayed committed to bringing the world’s best athletes and competition to Hayward Field. These selection events with Athletics Kenya epitomize that commitment.”

The 50th edition of The Prefontaine Classic will be held on Saturday, July 5 at Hayward Field at the University of Oregon. Tickets may be purchased at PreClassic.com (PreClassic.com/tickets). Lexus Legacy Experience VIP packages, which can be purchased in addition to an event ticket, are on sale now at PreClassic.com (PreClassic.com/vip).

Athlete fields are being updated on an ongoing basis. All athletes currently confirmed to compete at this year’s Pre Classic can be viewed at PreClassic.com (PreClassic.com/schedule).

By Amos Amoako