Running News Daily

Jessica Hull Claims World Indoor Bronze in Thrilling 3000m Finish as Hailu Strikes Gold

Australian middle-distance standout Jessica Hull delivered another impressive performance on the global stage, earning a bronze medal in the women’s 3000 meters at the 2025 World Athletics Indoor Championships in Nanjing, China. Following her silver medal at the Olympics, Hull has now proven she belongs on the world podium — indoors and out.

Running with confidence and control, Hull led at several points in the race and kicked hard in the closing laps, crossing the line in 8:38.28 — just 0.02 seconds behind American Shelby Houlihan, who claimed silver. Ethiopia’s Freweyni Hailu took the win in 8:37.21, showcasing the kind of closing speed that has made her a dominant figure in middle-distance events.

“I knew it would come down to that final lap,” Hull said post-race. “I gave everything I had, and to come away with a medal among such a talented field is really special.”

This marks a major step up for Hull, who finished fourth in this event at the 2024 World Indoors. With back-to-back major medals, she’s now firmly part of the world’s elite.

A Deeper Look at the Medalists

Freweyni Hailu of Ethiopia, the 2022 world indoor silver medalist, finally struck gold with a calm, tactical performance and a powerful closing lap. Hailu, who also holds the world indoor mile record, played her cards perfectly — staying tucked in until launching her move in the final 200 meters to stop the clock at 8:37.21.

Shelby Houlihan made a stunning return to international competition, showing she’s still a force in middle-distance running. Her silver-medal effort in 8:38.26 came after a smartly managed race where she moved up steadily in the second half. Known for her 1500m prowess, Houlihan’s endurance over 3000m proved she remains among the world’s best.

Full Results – Women’s 3000m Final

1. Freweyni Hailu (ETH) – 8:37.21

2. Shelby Houlihan (USA) – 8:38.26

3. Jessica Hull (AUS) – 8:38.28

4. Whittni Morgan (USA) – 8:39.18

5. Birke Haylom (ETH) – 8:39.28

6. Sarah Healy (IRL) – 8:40.00

7. Marta García (ESP) – 8:40.80

8. Purity Kajuju Gitonga (KEN) – 8:44.56

9. Linden Hall (AUS) – 8:44.99

10. Nozomi Tanaka (JPN) – 8:47.93

11. Adva Cohen (ISR) – 8:59.62

12. Li Yuan (CHN) – 9:14.14

This thrilling final was a highlight of the Nanjing championships so far.  

Historic World Records Dominate 2025 Millrose Games

The 117th Millrose Games, held on February 8, 2025, at New York’s Armory—a venue renowned as “The Fastest Track in the World”—delivered an unforgettable spectacle of middle-distance racing. Athletes shattered world records, national marks, and personal bests across events from the 800m to the 3000m, cementing this edition as one of the most electrifying in the meet’s storied history. Below, we break down the standout performances.

Records Fall in Mile, 3000m, and 800m

1. Wanamaker Mile: Yared Nuguse Rewrites History

Yared Nuguse (USA) stormed to a world indoor mile record of 3:46.63,  eclipsing Ethiopian Yomif Kejelcha’s 2019 mark (3:47.01) . In a race missing world champion Josh Kerr (withdrawn due to illness), Nuguse led wire-to-wire, splitting 3:31.74 for 1500m—a North American record—before surging past a fierce challenge from Hobbs Kessler (3:46.90, also under the previous WR) . Australian teen Cam Myers stunned with a world U20 record of 3:47.48, while France’s Azeddine Habz (3:47.56) set a national record.

2. Men’s 3000m: Grant Fisher Outduels Olympic Champion

Grant Fisher (USA) and Cole Hocker (USA)—the Olympic 10,000m bronze medalist and 1500m gold medalist, respectively—collided in a tactical masterclass. Fisher’s 7:22.91 broke Lamecha Girma’s world indoor record (7:23.81), with Hocker (7:23.14) also surpassing the old mark . Fisher’s final 200m in 27.50 sealed the win, while France’s Jimmy Gressier (7:30.18) and Australia’s Ky Robinson (7:30.38) set national records .  

3. Men’s 800m: Josh Hoey’s American Record Triumph

Josh Hoey (USA) dominated the 800m in 1:43.90, breaking Donovan Brazier’s American indoor record (1:44.21) and holding off Bryce Hoppel (1:44.19 PB) . Sixteen-year-old Cooper Lutkenhaus (1:46.86) smashed the high school record, previously held by Hoey himself .  

Women’s Events: Breakthroughs in Mile, 3000m, and 800m

1. Women’s Wanamaker Mile: Georgia Bell’s Tactical Mastery

Georgia Bell (GBR), the Olympic 1500m bronze medalist, edged a stacked field to win in 4:23.35,  outkicking Heather MacLean (USA, 4:23.41) and Nikki Hiltz (USA, 4:23.50) . Bell navigated a slow early pace (67.12 for the first quarter-mile) before unleashing a 61.97 final lap, crediting her composure in a “hard and messy” race .  

2. Women’s 3000m: Whittni Morgan’s Commanding Victory

Whittni Morgan (USA) surged late to win in 8:28.03, a personal best, ahead of Josette Andrews (USA, 8:29.77) and Sarah Healy (IRL, 8:30.79 NR) . Ethiopia’s Tsigie Gebreselama (8:33.13) and Australia’s Jessica Hull (8:30.91) added depth to a fiercely competitive race .  

3. Women’s 800m: Shafiqua Maloney’s Dominance  

Shafiqua Maloney (VIN) claimed victory in 1:59.07, fending off a late charge by Addy Wiley (USA, 2:00.14) . Olivia Baker (USA, 2:00.02 PB) and Kaela Edwards (USA, 2:00.14) rounded out the podium in a race showcasing tactical grit .  

With world records in the mile (Nuguse) and 3000m (Fisher), plus a slew of national and age-group marks, the 2025 Millrose Games underscored the rising global standard in middle-distance running. As athletes shift focus to outdoor seasons, these performances set the stage for a thrilling 2025 World Championships.  

New York Road Runners draws 20 Olympians to run in 5th Avenue Mile

The New York Road Runners New Balance 5th Avenue Mile is this Sunday, and it's sure to have plenty of Olympic spirit.

The nonprofit on Tuesday announced the event will draw 20 participants from the recent Summer Olympics in Paris.

Some of runners for the men's race include defending 5th Avenue Mile champion Josh Kerr, Robert Farken, Neil Gourley, Edwin Kurgat and Cathal Doyle.

On the women's side, U.S. Olympic medalist and world champion Emma Coburn will lead a field along with Marisa Howard, Emily Mackay, Whittni Morgan, Karissa Schweizer Courtney Wayment and several others.

"As I make my way back from injury, I can't think of a better event to make my comeback than returning to run the New Balance 5th Avenue Mile," Coburn said in a statement. "I've been training hard since my surgery, and lining up with this world-class group of athletes on this iconic course will feel so good."

The New Balance 5th Avenue Mile - the world's most iconic road mile race since 1981 - is one of 60 adult and youth races produced by NYRR.

The event will be televised live on WABC-TV from 12 p.m. to 1 p.m., and be available across the country on ESPN+.

Reigning champions returning for B.A.A. 5K

Global medalists, returning champions and exciting challengers from Massachusetts will headline the Boston Athletic Association's 5K and Invitational Mile, the races which kick off the Boston Marathon weekend.

Both of the races will be held on Saturday, April 15.

Among the professional athletes entered in the B.A.A. 5K are reigning champions Charles Philibert-Thiboutot of Canada, Marcel Hug of Switzerland and Jenna Fesemyer of the USA. Recently crowned world cross-country champion Beatrice Chebet of Kenya will make her Boston road racing debut in the competition.

The B.A.A. 5K starts and finishes in Boston Common at 8 a.m., featuring 10,000 athletes from 87 countries and all 50 U.S. states.

After the 5k, the Invitational Miles will be featured at the historic Boylston Street finish line.

Local Bay State stars Johnny Gregorek of Seekonk, the defending men's champion, and Ellie Shea of Belmont will compete in the three-lap race starting and finishing on Boylston Street.

Also in the field are 2022 B.A.A. Invitational Mile women’s runner-up Taryn Rawlings, 2021 NCAA Cross Country champion Whittni Morgan, and high school sub-four-minute miler Hobbs Kessler, who now runs professionally for Adidas.

“This year’s professional fields blend together experience with up-and-coming stars for the B.A.A. 5K and B.A.A. Invitational Mile,” Mary Kate Shea, B.A.A. Director of Professional Athletes, said. “Participants, spectators, and running enthusiasts will get to witness world-class competition at shorter distances two days before the 127th Boston Marathon.”