Prefontaine Classic by the Numbers
Statistically, the 46th Prefontaine Classic was the best ever in terms of performance. The 2021 Prefontaine Classic achieved the second-highest Results Score in history, only surpassed by this year’s Diamond League Finals in Zurich which had 32 events to choose from rather than 14 in Eugene.
The Pre Classic will host the Diamond League Finals in the fall of 2023.
Next year’s Pre will be May 28. See you there!
World Leaders–Nine Women: 100m Elaine Thompson-Herah (JAM) 10.54, 800m Athing Mu (USA) 1:55.04, 1500m Faith Kipyegon (KEN) 3:53.23, 2-Mile Francine Niyonsaba (BUR) 8:26.79 (3k enroute) and 9:00.75, Steeplechase Norah Jeruto (KEN) 8:53.65.
Men: 200m Noah Lyles (USA) 19.52, Bowerman Mile Jakob Ingebrigtsen (NOR) 3:47.24, 2-Mile Joshua Cheptegei (UGA) 8:09.55. +1 All Conditions men’s 100m Andre De Grasse (CAN) 9.74w.
Diamond League Leaders–Ten (nine events) Women: Thompson-Herah 10.54, Mu 1:55.04, Niyonsaba 8:26.79 & 9:00.75, Jeruto 8:53.65.
Men: Lyles 19.52, Ingebrigtsen 3:47.24, Triple Jump Pablo Pichardo (ESP) 17.63, Shot Put Dean Crouser (USA) 22.95 and 23.15.
+1 All Conditions De Grasse 9.74w, +1 All Conditions women’s 200m Mujinga Kambundji (SUI) 22.06w.
American Leaders–Four Women: Steeplechase Courtney Frerichs 8:57.77. Men: Lyles 19.52, 2-Mile Paul Chelimo 8:09.83, Mu 1:55.04.
Hayward Field Records–Seven Women: Niyonsaba 9:00.75, Jeruto 8:53.65, Thompson-Herah 10.54, Mu 1:55.04, Kipyegon 3:53.23. Men: Lyles 19.52, Ingebrigtsen 3:47.24, Ingebrigsten 3:31.92 (1500m).
Pre Classic Records–Nine (eight events) Women: Niyonsaba 9:00.75, Jeruto 8:53.65, Thompson-Herah 10.54, Kipyegon 3:53.23, 400 Hurdles Dalilah Muhammad 52.77. Men: Lyles 19.52, Ingebrigtsen 3:47.24, Ingebrigsten 3:31.92 (1500m), Crouser 22.95 and 23.15, +1AC De Grasse 9.74w.
U.S. All-Comers Records–Five Women: Mu 1:55.04, Kipyegon 3:53.23, Niyonsaba 9:00.75, Jeruto 8:53.65. Men: Ingebrigtsen 3:47.24. Diamond League Records–Four (three events) Women: Thompson-Herah 10.54. Men: Ingebrigtsen 3:47.24, Crouser 22.95 and 23.15.
American Records–Two Women: Mu 1:55.04, Frerichs 8:57.77. Best by American on U.S. Soil–Two Women: Mu 1:55.04, Frerichs 8:57.77.
American Junior (U20) Records–One Women: Mu 1:55.04.
Other Notes Archie Davis (GB) was the 200th sub-four miler in the Pre Classic. There have now been 207 different athletes who have broken 4:00 minutes at the Prefontaine Classic with a total of 455 performances.
The women’s Steeplechase has been held seven times. Each time has produced a new Meet Record (MR):
2010 Milcah Chemos (Kenya)................................... 9:26.70 MR (also Hayward Field Record) 2012 Milcah Chemos (Kenya)................................... 9:13.69 MR (also US All Comers Record) 2014 Sofia Assefa (Ethiopia)..................................... 9:11.39 MR (also USACR)
2016 Ruth Jebet (Bahrain)........................................ 8:59.97 MR (also USACR) – 3rd Emma Coburn (USA) 9:10.76 American Record
2017 Celliphine Chespol (Kenya)............................... 8:58.78 MR (also USACR)
2019 Beatrice Chepkoech (Kenya)............................ 8:55.58 MR (also USACR)
2021 Norah Jeruto (Kenya)....................................... 8:53.65 MR (also USACR) – 2nd Courtney Frerichs 8:57.77 American Record