Caster Semenya runs world leading time in 1,500m at Doha

Doha is the opening day of the Diamond League. For track runners and fans of the sport Doha is the true beginning of the international outdoor season. This year’s event brought an impressive line-up with Caster Semenya running the highly anticipated women’s 1,500m. Semenya was evidently able to put the controversy from last week’s IAAF testosterone ruling behind her. She ran an extremely impressive 3:59.92 which is the world leading time, a South African national record and personal best to win the race. 

The women’s 3,000m was also extremely stacked with Caroline Chepkoech Kipkirui, Jenny Simpson, and Agnes Jebet Tirop all on the start list. Kipkirui won the race in 8:29.05 which is a world leading time and a personal best. Kipkirui is a strong half-marathoner who has run well on the road this season. Doha was her first time on the track in 2018. Olympic and World medalist Jenny Simpson finished fourth to run 8:30.83, just off her personal best of 8:29.58. 

https://www.instagram.com/p/BiUtRpVg_GW/?taken-by=trackjenny

There were three Canadians in the Doha Diamond league today. Corey Bellemore, Aaron Brown, and Andre De Grasse all lined for at the prestigious event in Qatar. 

Corey Bellemore ran a strong 1,500m Diamond League debut. The beer mile World Record holder ran a personal best of 3:41.34 to finish 12th. Bellemore’s new personal best is the second fastest Canadian time run this season behind Justyn Knight of Syracuse. Bellemore received acceptance to the meet very last minute and only arrived at the venue on Tuesday after nearly 24 hours of travel. Bellemore was able to hold his own against some of the best in the world which solidifies his place on the elite running circuit. 

https://www.instagram.com/p/BiRuihlBBaM/?taken-by=coreybellemore

Andre De Grasse and Aaron Brown both ran the 200m shortly after Bellemore’s 1,500m. Brown finished fourth running a seasons best of 20.18 and Andre finished eighth running a seasons best of 20.46. This was De Grasse’s second race after recovering from a hamstring injury that forced him to withdraw from the Commonwealth Games this past April.