National records, world leads set at Doha Diamond League

It was a windy and warm night in Doha for the final Diamond League meeting of 2020, which, as at the previous events during this unusual year, saw some impressive performances.

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Australia’s Stewart McSweyn led from the gun to take the men’s 1,500m with a commanding lead, setting a national record of 3:30.51. McSweyn also holds Australian records in the 3,000m (set just over a week ago at the Rome Diamond League) and the 10,000m. Selemon Barega of Ethiopia finished a distant second in 3:32.97 (a three-second PB) and Soufiane El-Bakkali of Morocco was third in 3:33.45, also a PB. World and Olympic steeplechase champion Conseslus Kipruto was expected to perform well in his first 1,500m race in five years, but stepped off the track with a DNF.

What a run from @hellen_obiri at #DohaDL!

She brings home the women's 3000m in a world-leading 8:22.54, a race that sees seven(!) women dip under 8:27 – the first time in history this happened.

Full results: https://t.co/2RpkFiSOqn

?: @matthewquine pic.twitter.com/FslRcS6sBN

— World Athletics (@WorldAthletics) September 25, 2020

In the men’s 110m hurdles, American Aaron Mallet took the win in a world lead and a big PB of 13.15. 

Olympic 1,500m gold medallist Faith Kipyegon ran the world lead in the 800m, running a 1:57.68, which is also a huge personal best. Kipyegon sat back in the first 300m, only making her move with about 250m to go – the mark of a 1,500m runner running an 800m. Pundits speculate whether she might attempt the 800m/1,500m double at the Olympics next year. Esther Guerrero of Spain, who is 30 years old, was second in a PB of 1:59.22 (her first time going sub-2). Adelle Tracey of Great Britain was third in 1:59.87.

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Faith Kipyegon, running her first 800 in five years, uses an incredible final 200 to clock a world-leading 1:57.68 personal best to win in Doha.

Big run as well for runner-up Esther Guerrero of Spain, who runs 1:59.22 — her first ever sub-2:00 at age 30. pic.twitter.com/Q2Z4wjhv3R

— Jonathan Gault (@jgault13) September 25, 2020

Kenyan superstar Hellen Obiri did not disappoint in the 3,000m, going to the front early in the race, which was capably paced by 1,500m specialist Winny Chebet. The world 5,000m and cross-country champion crossed the line in a world-leading 8:22.54. Steeplechase world champion and world record holder Beatrice Chepkoech tucked in behind her, pulling ahead briefly going into the bell lap, but Obiri kicked hard with 300m to go, and Chepkoech was pipped at the line by world 10,000m bronze medallist Agnes Tirop. Both recorded PBs of 8:22.92.