World 2000m record for Jess Hull at Monaco Diamond League
Written by I Dig SportsThe five-lap race also sees a British record from Melissa Courtney-Bryant as Nina Kennedy wins high-quality pole vault
The womens 2000m might be a relatively rarely run event but Jess Hull took almost two seconds off the world record as the Australian clocked 5:19.70 at the Diamond League in Monaco on Friday (July 12).
Hull is in the form of her life after clocking an Oceania record of 3:50.83 for 1500m five days earlier behind Faith Kipyegons world record.
Here she followed Esther Guerrero through the first kilometre before later easing away from her rivals to beat the 5:21.56 mark which was held by Francine Niyonsaba of Burundi.
I definitely felt Pariss race all week in the legs, said Hull. So today the goal was just to be strong, even if my legs were very heavy. I ran at a different pace and level of fatigue I have never been at before.
It was incredible, when I was on my own in the last lap, everyone was cheering for me. The wavelights also helped. I was just looking at the lights hoping that they wouldnt catch me. It is amazing to be called a world record-holder now.
Behind, runner-up Melissa Courtney-Bryant ran a British record of 5:26.08, one hundredth of a second ahead of Edinah Jebitok, who ran a Kenyan record.
Yvonne Murrays British record of 5:26.93 had stood since 1994 when the Scottish athlete ran the time in Edinburgh.
Courtney-Bryant said: Jessica (Hull) is just an amazing athlete. Her race last week inspired me and today I wanted to be brave. I was as brave as I could have been. I put myself out there.
Nina Kennedy of Australia won the womens pole vault with a first-time clearance of 4.88m. Angelica Moser also cleared that height for a Swiss record but finished runner-up on countback.
Britains Molly Caudery was third with 4.83m.
Kennedy said: Everyone is pushing for the Olympic gold. Our sport is in really good shape. Now Ive just got a fire in my belly and I want to win in Paris.
The womens 100m was won by Julien Alfred in 10.85 (-1.0) as Tamari Davis and Dina Asher-Smith both clocked 10.99 in second and third.
Saint Lucias Alfred said: I really love this Monaco crowd and the introduction of the event with the lights. I will get back to practice and just focus for my preparations for the Paris.
Rhasidat Adeleke of Ireland won the womens 400m in 49.17.
Ingebrigtsen breaks European 1500m record mens report here.
Full results here