By David Melly
July 17, 2023
Olympic champion Jakob Ingebrigtsen won the Silesia Diamond League men’s 1500m in 3:27.14 to move from No. 6 to No. 4 on the all-time list.
Here’s what you need to know:
– Ingebrigsten remains undefeated over 1500m in 2023. His 3:27.14 broke his own European record and moved ahead of Noureddine Morceli (3:27.37) and Silas Kiplagat (3:27.64) on the all-time list.
– The only people ahead of him are Hicham El Guerrouj (3:26.00); Bernard Lagat (3:26.34); and Asbel Kiprop (3:26.69). He's now 1.14 seconds off the world record.
– Kenya’s Abel Kipsang finished second in a personal best of 3:29.11. His compatriot Reynold Kipkorir Cheruiyot took third in a personal best of 3:30.30.
– Andrew Coscoran broke the Irish national record with a 3:30.42 run in fourth place.
– 17-year-old Australian Cameron Myers ran 3:33.26 for 11th place.
– 10 of the 14 men in the field set personal bests.
What he said after the race:
Ingebrigtsen (via Diamond League Flash Quotes): “I am always focusing on myself in races. Today, I wanted a fast race and I wanted to run another sub-3:28. I knew if I could do that, there was a big risk of setting another PB. The pacemakers helped a lot today, especially with Stewart McSweyn taking over on the third lap. It is not every day that you get one of the best runners in the world to help you run fast. This result was the best I could hope for today. You cannot always think about records. Today, I wanted one. But, I will now be focusing completely on getting ready for the World Championships.”
Our Take:
“We’re starting to get closer to 3:26.00 but we’re not quite there yet. They say that the last 1.14 seconds is the hardest. If it is going to be done, it needs to be done with the help of someone like Stewy McSweyn to help out.” – Kyle Merber
“I love watching Jakob race. Putting himself out there is just really fun to watch. Respect to the field because I’m sure they were given strict instructions because they all let the rabbits go and let Jakob through...After losing to Wightman, Jakob has been working on his last 100m. He has the strongest last 100m of everyone even while running this fast. I trust Ingebrigtsen’s approach to training that I hope these record attempts haven’t disrupted his fitness and training in the lead-up to Budapest.
I can’t wait to get to Worlds where there are no rabbits. As much as I love this stuff, I hate that the Diamond Leagues have rabbits. It should just be racing. Races are so much more interesting when there are no rabbits. Get rid of the Wavelights. Designate Monaco and one other meet as the record-setting meets. Everything else should just be racing. I know I sound like an old man yelling at clouds. I’m excited for this field to race again in Budapest with no rabbits and they have to figure it out themselves.” – Mac Fleet
“Coscoran is one of those guys that we shouldn’t sleep on. He reminds me of the trajectory that Wightman had last year. He’s been around and been good for a while. He’s having a career year. In the event that the race is a little bit tactical – although, I can’t see Jakob letting that happen again – he’s totally one of those dark horse medal threats in a race where he can get in the right position at the right time. He’s quietly rounded into a really good level of fitness over the last six months or so.” – David Melly
What’s next:
Ingebrigtsen says he is done racing between now and the world championships. He has been vocal about his desire to claim his first 1500m gold medal after being stunned by Great Britain’s Jake Wightman in last summer’s world championship final. He is also the reigning champion at 5000m but has not raced that distance this season.
David Melly
David began contributing to CITIUS in 2018, and quickly cemented himself as an integral part of the team thanks to his quick wit, hot takes, undying love for the sport and willingness to get yelled at online.
