Looking Back at Chebet’s Game-Changing Sub-14 5K Performance

On December 31, 2024, Beatrice Chebet etched her name into athletics history by becoming the first woman ever to break the 14-minute barrier in a 5-kilometer road race. Clocking an astonishing 13:54 at the Cursa dels Nassos 5K in Barcelona, Chebet not only shattered her own world record but also solidified her place as one of the most dominant figures in women’s distance running.

Cursa dels Nassos: A Proven Stage for Fast Times

Barcelona’s year-end event has become a magnet for elite performances. In 2021, Ethiopia’s Ejgayehu Taye set a world record at the same race, running 14:19. Chebet reclaimed the crown in 2023 with a 14:13 effort and returned in 2024 to lower that mark again, blazing through the course with unmatched speed and confidence. Her performance reinforced Cursa dels Nassos’ reputation as one of the fastest and most competitive road 5Ks in the world.

A New Era for the Women’s 5K

Chebet’s barrier-breaking run is more than a record—it’s a statement. Once viewed as a stepping stone to longer distances, the 5K is now a premier event showcasing elite-level speed, precision pacing, and raw competitive fire. Athletes like Chebet are pushing the limits of what’s possible, inspiring a new generation to view the 5K not as a warm-up, but as a worthy test in its own right.

As Beatrice Chebet continues her climb into the pantheon of distance greats, her 13:54 road 5K will stand as a landmark moment—a performance that redefined the ceiling for women’s distance running and opened the door to what’s next.

posted Monday May 19th
by Boris Baron