Prefontaine Classic 2024: Believe the Hype

We declared in 2023 that the 2024 edition would be amazing – we sure got that right! The action in the heart of TrackTown, USA, was nothing short of enthralling. You can’t beat Pre on the Diamond League circuit for fan engagement and atmosphere.

Setting the stage for the day, Beatrice Chebet made history as she shattered the 10,000m world record during the Kenyan Olympic trials. She became the first woman to break 29 minutes when she stopped the clock at 28:54.14 to also take down pre-race favourite Gudaf Tsegay. Her victory lap in a classic “Stop Pre” top certainly won her a few new fans in Eugene.

After speculating about it for months, we finally got to watch one of the greatest miles of all time. The big three lived up to the hype, and Josh Kerr reaffirmed the top spot he earned with his World Championships title, holding off Jakob Ingebrigtsen and stealing his Diamond League crown. Nuguse came in for bronze 0.62 seconds behind the Norwegian. Neil Gourley stunned for a dramatic fourth place and a massive new PB as he closed down 2022 world champion Jake Wightman.

The OAC trio of George Beamish, Oliver Hoare and Mario García came home in that order for eighth, ninth and 10th, with Beamish clocking 3.49.09 – just short of the historic NZ mile record Sir John Walker set in 1982. (I’d also like to note how sick the new OAC pro kit is for 2024.)

Records continued to tumble in the 1500m, with Aussie and former Oregon Duck Jess Hull taking down Linden Hall’s 1500m national record with a huge 3:55.97 while chasing Laura Muir and Elle St Pierre over the last 100m to grab silver behind Diribe Welteji’s 3:53.75. The battle for Paris selection is well and truly on for the Australians.

In the much-anticipated women’s 800m, Keeley Hodgkinson returned to classic winning form, making a 1:55.78 look relatively simple. Trina Bisset made a breakthrough run to find some fine form with a 1:58.44. Well-timed, we say – it must be the DIY hotel room ice baths.

In the 100m sprint, Sha’Carri Richardson did what she does best: winning big meets. Notching 10.83s to go clear of the deep field assembled at Hayward made her a crowd favourite on the day. In the men’s event, Christian Coleman and Ferdinand Omanyala were the only ones to break the 10s barrier. It’s still early in the season, and the big names of Fred Kerley and Noah Lyles were noted in their absence. Kenny Bednarek, aka Kung Fu Kenny, flew below the 20s mark with his 19.89s win in the 200m.

We hoped that whatever was brewing in Eugene would be good, and Pre did not disappoint. That old Hayward Magic is stronger than ever.