2022 Prefontaine Classic Women’s Recap: Kipyegon Cruises, Thompson-Herah Wins, & Sha’Carri Richardson Looks Good
By LetsRun.com
May 28, 2022
EUGENE, Ore. – It was a good day for the women’s favorites and stars at the 2022 Prefontaine Classic as quadruple Olympic champ Elaine Thompson-Herah won the women’s 100, double Olympic champ Faith Kipyegon won the women’s 1500, double Olympic champ Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce won the women’s 200. Norah Jeruto, the world’s best steeplechaser, won the steeplechase and Keely Hodgkinson won the women’s 800. We recap the entire women’s meet for you below starting with the distances.
You can find our men’s recap here and all of our coverage of the 2022 Prefontaine Classic here.
Women’s 1500: Faith Kipyegon dominates, Sinclaire Johnson runs huge pb for 4th
The women’s 1500 quickly became a two-woman race as Olympic champ Faith Kipyegon and World Indoor champ Gudaf Tsegay were the only two to follow the aggressive early pace and by 800 (2:03.9) they were clear of the field and would only lengthen the gap on the way home. Tsegay tried her best to drop Kipyegon on the final lap, but to no avail as Kipyegon blew by her on the back straight and streaked home to break her own meet record of 3:53.23 set last year, running 3:52.59 thanks to a 60.4 last lap.
Behind Tsegay (3:54.21), there was a big gap back to the chase pack, which was led for a time by Olympic silver medalist Laura Muir. But Muir would totally crater on the way in, running her last lap in 67 seconds to finish 11th in 4:04.45. Instead, it was Canadian record holder Gabriela DeBues-Stafford who took third in 3:58.62.
With many of the top Americans entered, the race served as a de facto preview of USAs. Sinclaire Johnson ran the best race of her life so far to take top American honors in 4th, running a 4+ second pb of 3:58.85 to become the 10th American woman under 4:00. Reigning US champ Elle Purrier St. Pierre also got under 4:00, running 3:59.68 for 6th while Olympian Cory McGee was 9th in 4:00.34. This was the first time two Americans broke 4:00 in the same race since Shelby Houlihan and Jenny Simpson did it in the 2019 World Championship final.
1. | Faith KIPYEGON | 10 JAN 1994 | KEN | 3:52.59 |
2. | Gudaf TSEGAY | 23 JUN 1997 | ETH | 3:54.21 |
3. | Gabriela DEBUES-STAFFORD | 13 SEP 1995 | CAN | 3:58.62 |
4. | Sinclaire JOHNSON | 14 APR 1998 | USA | 3:58.85 |
5. | Jessica HULL | 22 OCT 1996 | AUS | 3:59.31 |
6. | Elle ST. PIERRE | 20 FEB 1995 | USA | 3:59.68 |
7. | Freweyni HAILU | 12 FEB 2001 | ETH | 3:59.97 |
8. | Winnie NANYONDO | 23 AUG 1993 | UGA | 4:00.25 |
9. | Cory Ann MCGEE | 29 MAY 1992 | USA | 4:00.34 |
10. | Gaia SABBATINI | 10 JUN 1999 | ITA | 4:01.93 |
11. | Laura MUIR | 09 MAY 1993 | GBR | 4:04.45 |
12. | Aurore FLEURY | 04 DEC 1993 | FRA | 4:05.80 |
13. | Josette NORRIS | 15 DEC 1995 | USA | 4:06.13 |
14. | Tigist KETEMA | 15 SEP 1998 | ETH | 4:06.59 |
15. | Nozomi TANAKA | 04 SEP 1999 | JPN | 4:07.43 |
Shannon OSIKA | 15 JUN 1993 | USA | DNF | |
Angel PICCIRILLO | 08 JAN 1994 | USA | DNF |
Quick Take: Faith Kipyegon remains the greatest female miler in the world
Kipyegon broke 4:00 for the first time back in 2013, running 3:56.98 as a 19-year-old. Since then, she’s been a fixture atop the sport and now, at 28, is showing no signs of slowing down. Her 3:52.59 today was her second-fastest time of her career. She told us afterwards she’d like to take a crack at Genzebe Dibaba’s 3:50.07 world record.
Quick Take: Sinclaire Johnson was far from surprised about the sub-4 and is thriving under Pete Julian’s training
Women’s 800: Hodgkinson wins second DL in eight days
With Athing Mu withdrawing after recently testing positive for COVID, Olympic silver medalist Keely Hodgkinson was expected to win here and she did so in impressive fashion, pulling away over the final 100 meters to run near-even splits of 58.8-58.9 en route to a world-leading 1:57.72. It was not as dominant a showing as a week ago in Birmingham, however, as World Indoor champ Ajee’ Wilson ran well and was actually closing the gap on Hodgkinson in the final meters. Wilson took second in 1:58.06 – her fastest time since July 2019 – as Olympic bronze medalist Raevyn Rogers was third in 1:58.44.
1. | Keely HODGKINSON | 03 MAR 2002 | GBR | 1:57.72 |
2. | Ajee WILSON | 08 MAY 1994 | USA | 1:58.06 |
3. | Raevyn ROGERS | 07 SEP 1996 | USA | 1:58.44 |
4. | Natoya GOULE | 30 MAR 1991 | JAM | 1:59.39 |
5. | Sage HURTA | 23 JUN 1998 | USA | 1:59.59 |
6. | Halimah NAKAAYI | 16 OCT 1994 | UGA | 1:59.94 |
7. | Allie WILSON | 31 MAR 1996 | USA | 2:00.15 |
8. | Jemma REEKIE | 06 MAR 1998 | GBR | 2:00.53 |
9. | Michaela MEYER | 04 JUL 1998 | USA | 2:01.31 |
Kendra CHAMBERS | 11 SEP 1990 | USA | DNF |
Quick Take: Hodgkinson was brilliant again
The 800 can be a tough event for a young athlete to master, but the 20-year-old Hodgkinson has looked totally at ease with DL wins in Birmingham and Eugene in an eight-day span. Of course, it helps when you’re also the fittest woman in the field.
Quick Take: Wilson might have benefitted from running closer to the front in this one
Wilson made her bones as a front-runner earlier in her career, but as she ages she has been more willing to employ different styles as a racer. Today, she went out at the very back as she was in last place at the bell. That can be an effective way to run – there are many ways to win an 800m race – but it was not the best strategy against Hodgkinson, who has terrific 400 speed and is a great closer.
Wilson admitted afterward she didn’t plan on going out in the back. Coach Derek Thompson told her to be no farther back than 4th at the bell so she’ll work on that for next time. Wilson was only half a second behind Hodgkinson at the bell, but was six places behind her and had to navigate a lot of traffic on the way home.
That said, Wilson has to be pleased with where her fitness is right now. Her last lap of 58.8 was slightly faster than Hodgkinson’s but she just couldn’t overcome the initial deficit she inherited at the bell. Beating Rogers is a nice plus as well.
Quick Take: Raevyn Rogers says her training has been going really well and acted like a 1:55 pb was no big deal (her pb is 1:56.81)
Women’s steeple: Norah Jeruto stays hot as Americans finish well back
American stars Emma Coburn and Courtney Frerichs both lined up for this one but were dropped before the 1k mark. There was a good reason for that – the first kilometer was run in 2:57.05, or 8:51 pace – but even as the pace slowed up front, the Americans could not make headway. Kazakhstan’s Norah Jeruto, the 2021 Pre and Diamond League champ, earned another win in 8:57.97 – the world’s first sub-9:00 clocking of 2022 – and was followed in by Bahrain’s Winfred Yavi (8:58.71), who became the seventh woman in history to break 9:00.
Coburn and Frerichs came home almost 20 seconds later as the three Americans in the field – Coburn (9:18.19), Frerichs (9:20.96), and Katie Rainsberger (9:32.13) – took the last three places. For Rainsberger, at least, the time wasn’t too far off her 9:30.18 pb.
1. | Norah JERUTO | 02 OCT 1995 | KAZ | 8:57.97 |
2. | Winfred Mutile YAVI | 31 DEC 1999 | BRN | 8:58.71 |
3. | Mekides ABEBE | 29 JAN 2001 | ETH | 9:03.26 |
4. | Peruth CHEMUTAI | 10 JUL 1999 | UGA | 9:05.54 |
5. | Workua GETACHEW | 07 DEC 1995 | ETH | 9:07.81 |
6. | Celliphine Chepteek CHESPOL | 23 MAR 1999 | KEN | 9:10.17 |
7. | Jackline CHEPKOECH | 03 OCT 2003 | KEN | 9:15.97 |
8. | Emma COBURN | 19 OCT 1990 | USA | 9:18.19 |
9. | Courtney FRERICHS | 18 JAN 1993 | USA | 9:20.96 |
10. | Katie RAINSBERGER | 18 AUG 1998 | USA | 9:32.13 |
Rosefline CHEPNGETICH | 17 JUN 1997 | KEN | DNF |
Quick Take: Coburn and Frerichs have a lot of work to do
Coburn and Frerichs have been among the top steeplers in the world for the last five years, so to see them get trounced in this race – the 2022 steeple opener for both women – was quite surprising. Coburn, especially, usually starts pretty fast. In her eight career steeple openers, Coburn has only run slower than today on two occasions – one was 2014 in Shanghai (a race Coburn won) and the other was 2015 at USAs in the semifinals (Coburn made the final easily). To start off in 9:18 in a race won in 8:57 is quite a surprise.
That said, Coburn and Frerichs both have a strong record when it comes to championship performances and have earned some benefit of the doubt (either one or the other has medalled at each of the last four global champs). But right now there’s a big gap between them and the top women in the world.
Coburn told us she’d give herself a B or B- in this one which she pretty much ran solo from start to finish. Her last kilometer wasn’t as strong as she would have liked, but she was still relatively upbeat about things and told us yesterday her last 20 weeks have been the best training of her career.
As for Frerichs, said she’s been struggling with low iron levels and was recently diagnosed with Celiac disease, which make low iron tough to cope with. Add in the fact that the BTC loves to train at altitude which requires high iron stores and it’s even tricker. She said experts at USATF have really helped her get things under control though through regular testing.
She also noted that 9:20 doesn’t sound fast but it’s pretty close to where she normally opens up.
We looked it up. She is correct. Here is how she has opened up during their careers.
Emma Coburn and Courtney Frerichs’ steeple openers as professionals
Year | Coburn | Frerichs |
2014 | 9:19.80 (May 14) | N/A |
2015 | 9:36.90 (June 25*) | N/A |
2016 | 9:10.76 (May 28) | N/A |
2017 | 9:14.53 (May 5) | 9:54.91 (May 5) |
2018 | 9:08.13 (May 31) | 9:20.84 (June 7) |
2019 | 9:08.42 (June 13) | 9:09.75 (June 30) |
2021 | 9:08.22 (May 28) | 9:27.70 (May 9) |
2022 | 9:18.19 (May 28) | 9:20.96 (May 28) |
In 2017, Frerichs opened up at 9:54 in Doha and only ran 9:19 at Pre on May 26, but ended up with WC silver.
Sprints
Women’s 100: Elaine Thompson-Herah wins comfortably as Sha’Carri Richardson looks good
For the second time in 10 months, the Olympic champ Elaine Thompson-Herah took on American superstar Sha’Carri Richardson at Hayward Field. For the second time in 10 months, Thompson-Herah emerged victorious, but this time Richardson – who finished dead last in their previous encounter – was far more competitive, taking second in 10.92 to Thompson-Herah’s 10.79.
Considering conditions weren’t great for sprinting (cool and overcast in the low-60s, +0.7 wind), 10.92 is a nice time for Richardson, particularly when you consider she beat the reigning Olympic bronze medalist Shericka Jackson (also 10.92) and world silver medalist Dina Asher-Smith (10.98).
1. | Elaine THOMPSON-HERAH | 28 JUN 1992 | JAM | 10.79 |
2. | Sha’Carri RICHARDSON | 25 MAR 2000 | USA | 10.92 |
3. | Shericka JACKSON | 16 JUL 1994 | JAM | 10.92 |
4. | Dina ASHER-SMITH | 04 DEC 1995 | GBR | 10.98 |
5. | Twanisha TERRY | 24 JAN 1999 | USA | 10.98 |
6. | Marie-Josée TA LOU | 18 NOV 1988 | CIV | 11.07 |
7. | Mujinga KAMBUNDJI | 17 JUN 1992 | SUI | 11.11 |
8. | Teahna DANIELS | 25 MAR 1997 | USA | 11.13 |
9. | Briana WILLIAMS | 21 MAR 2002 | JAM | 11.20 |
Quick Take: This was a big step forward for Richardson
Two weeks ago, Sha’Carri Richardson was a massive question mark. She had withdrawn from three meets in 2022 without any explanation and it was unclear if or when she would race at all. She returned last week running 11.37 and 11.27 in less-than-ideal conditions in Jacksonville, losing to three fellow Americans in the first race.
But today’s run was a reminder of just how talented Richardson is. Challenging Thompson-Herah and Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce at Worlds is, frankly, an unfair expectation for Richardson – they’re the two greatest 100-meter runners of all time. But outside of those two, no one in the world right now has more potential than Richardson, and today’s race was a big step toward realizing that potential.
Unfortunately, she didn’t talk to to the media today, walking through the mixed zone saying, “No thank you, no thank you.”
Elaine Thompson-Herah said a shoulder injury is what’s been bothering her and kept her out of Birmingham
Dina Asher-Smith said she was happy with her improved start but needs to work on her finish
Women’s 100 hurdles: Camacho-Quinn wins it
Olympic champ Jasmine Camacho-Quinnb rebounded from a surprise loss at home in Puerto Rico on May 12 to take the win in this non-Diamond League event over Olympic 4th placer Tobi Amusan in 12.45.
1. | Jasmine CAMACHO-QUINN | 21 AUG 1996 | PUR | 12.45 |
2. | Tobi AMUSAN | 23 APR 1997 | NGR | 12.58 |
3. | Tonea MARSHALL | 17 DEC 1998 | USA | 12.66 |
4. | Cindy SEMBER | 05 AUG 1994 | GBR | 12.69 |
5. | Danielle WILLIAMS | 14 SEP 1992 | JAM | 12.71 |
6. | Gabriele CUNNINGHAM | 22 FEB 1998 | USA | 12.75 |
7. | Nia ALI | 23 OCT 1988 | USA | 12.77 |
8. | Kendra HARRISON | 18 SEP 1992 | USA | 12.78 |
9. | Anna COCKRELL | 28 AUG 1997 | USA | 12.84 |
Women’s 200: Fraser-Pryce takes it
Fraser-Pryce wants to work on her speed endurance more in 2022, thus why she was in the non-DL 200 today rather than the 100 against Thompson-Herah and Richardson. Though Oregon favorite Jenna Prandini was in contention after running a great bend, it was all SAFP by the finish as she won comfortably in 22.41. Surprisingly, no one else ran faster than 22.74 despite a friendly +0.8 wind.
1. | Shelly-Ann FRASER-PRYCE | 27 DEC 1986 | JAM | 22.41 |
2. | Brittany BROWN | 18 APR 1995 | USA | 22.74 |
3. | Anthonique STRACHAN | 22 AUG 1993 | BAH | 22.76 |
4. | Jenna PRANDINI | 20 NOV 1992 | USA | 22.77 |
5. | Tamara CLARK | 09 JAN 1999 | USA | 22.77 |
6. | Cambrea STURGIS | 27 MAR 1999 | USA | 22.85 |
7. | Mujinga KAMBUNDJI | 17 JUN 1992 | SUI | 22.88 |
8. | Dezerea BRYANT | 27 APR 1993 | USA | 22.91 |
9. | Shawnti JACKSON | 02 MAY 2005 | USA | 23.28 |
Field Events
Women’s long jump: Sagnia wins first career DL
28-year-old Khaddi Sagnia of Sweden, who was 9th at the Olympics last year, earned her first career Diamond League victory, adding two centimeters to her pb with her second-round jump of 6.95m, a mark that would hold up for the win.
1. | Khaddi SAGNIA | 20 APR 1994 | SWE | 6.95 | +1.0 |
2. | Ese BRUME | 20 JAN 1996 | NGR | 6.82 | +1.9 |
3. | Tara DAVIS | 20 MAY 1999 | USA | 6.73 | +1.7 |
4. | Quanesha BURKS | 15 MAR 1995 | USA | 6.70 | +2.3 |
5. | Ivana VULETA | 10 MAY 1990 | SRB | 6.40 | -0.1 |
6. | Rhesa FOSTER | 25 MAY 1998 | USA | 6.16 | +0.5 |
Lorraine UGEN | 22 AUG 1991 | GBR | NM | NWI | |
Quanesha BURKS | 15 MAR 1995 | USA | 6.66 | +0.3 |
Talk about the meet on our world-famous fan forum / messageboard:
- 2022 Pre Classic Saturday Afternoon Discussion Thread
- MF Jakob Ing
- Shacarri Richardson 2nd at Pre, beats Olympic bronze medalist, haters go home DEVASTATED
- Micheal Norman is back
- Colin MF Sahlman: 3:56 #3 ALL TIME HS Mile
- Colin Sahlman Confirms He Is Ducking Gary Martin
- Does Colin’s 3:56 mile destroy the he isn’t better than Ritz talk?
- Gary Martin > Colin Sahlman
- Knighton goes home devastated
More: Men’s Recap here: 2022 Pre Classic Men’s Recap: Ingebrigtsen Cruises, Aregawi Dominates, & Michael Norman Is Back Berihu Aregawi won the 5k by 16+ seconds while Norman broke the Diamond League record in the 400 (43.60) and high schooler Colin Sahlman ran 3:56.24.