Jakob Ingebrigtsen, the Olympic and world champion in the 1,500m, is set to take on the challenge of breaking the two-mile world record at the Charlety Stadium on June 9.
The current world record of 7:58.61, held by Kenya’s Daniel Komen since July 19, 1997, has proven to be a formidable milestone to surpass.
Komen also holds the challenging world records in the 3,000m (7:20.67) and the 3,000m indoor (7:24.90), the latter of which was recently broken by Ethiopia’s Lamecha Girma.
Even for accomplished distance runners like Haile Gebrselassie, Mo Farah, and Eliud Kipchoge, breaking these records has proven to be a tough task. However, the 22-year-old Ingebrigtsen has consistently shown his talent and determination, previously setting the record for the fastest mile time by a 17-year-old with an impressive 3:52.28 in 2018.
In his pursuit of the two-mile world record, Ingebrigtsen will benefit from the assistance of wave light technology. This innovative device utilizes LED lighting on the track rail, enabling athletes to easily adjust their pace during endurance events.
Under the guidance of his father and coach, Gjert, Ingebrigtsen will also have the support of top-notch pacesetters to aid him in his record-breaking attempt.
In other athletics news, Great Britain’s Katarina Johnson-Thompson made a strong return to the heptathlon, securing a second-place finish at the HypoMeeting.
American athlete Anna Hall claimed gold with a remarkable total of 6,988 points, ranking as the fifth-best points total in history. Johnson-Thompson, competing in the heptathlon for the first time since her gold-medal win at the Commonwealth Games, accumulated a respectable 6,556 points.
Jade O’Dowda, another British athlete, achieved a personal best score of 6,255, earning her 10th place.
These achievements showcase the remarkable talent and dedication of athletes pushing the boundaries of their respective disciplines.
