Faith Kipyegon bags Ksh. 7.7 million in Athlos NYC meet Victory

New York city,

Friday, 27 September, 2024 

McCreadie Andias 

Olympic champion Faith Kipyegon took a commanding victory in the 1,500 metres at the inaugural women-only Athlos NYC meet on Thursday. 

The world record holder, who claimed a third successive Olympic title in Paris, crossed the line in 4 minutes 4.79 seconds to claim victory in New York.

Ethiopian Diribe Welteji (4:05.58) could not match the Kenyan's power in a breathless sprint finish, while Kenyan Susan Ejore-Sanders (4:06.25) was third.

Paris 800 silver medallist Tsige Duguma of Ethiopia held off a challenge from Kenyan Mary Moraa around the final turn to cross the line first in 1:57.43.

Brittany Brown stunned Paris 200 metres gold medallist Gabby Thomas by only three-hundredths of a second to clock 22.18.

Marie Josée Ta Lo-Smith from Ivory Coast won the 100 metres in 10.98, with Brown second (11.05).

Olympic 400 metres champion Marileidy Paulino, from the Dominican Republic, kept her undefeated streak in the event alive by winning in 49.59, while Puerto Rico's Jasmine Camacho-Quinn won the 100 metres hurdles in 12.36 less than two weeks after winner at the Diamond League Final.

Launched by entrepreneur and Reddit CO-owner, Alexis Ohanian,the husband to retired tennis star Serena Williams, Athlos aims to build off the star power of women's track. 

The lucrative event featured 36 of the top track stars in the world in short and middle distance running.

The winners of each event pocketed $US60,000(Ksh 7.7 million) - double the prize money offered at the Diamond League finale and received a custom Tiffany crown.

It is one of the biggest prize purses in the history of athletics. 

Athletes finishing second and third place earned $25,000 (Sh3.2mn) and $10,000 (Sh1.3mn), respectively, while finishes four through six will take home $8,000 (Sh1mn), $5,000 (Sh644,000), and $2,500 (Sh322,000).