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Sifan Hassan breaks women's mile world record

Sifan Hassan set the new record at the 'Brave like Gabe Mile' which was named after the former American middle-distance runner Gabe Grunewald, who died from cancer last month at the age of 32.

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Published : Jul 13, 2019, 12:17 PM IST

Monaco: Sifan Hassan of the Netherlands broke the 23-year-old women's mile world record on Friday when she clocked 4 minutes 12.33 seconds, beating the 4:12.56 set by Russia's Svetlana Masterkova in Zurich in 1996.

Also Read: Dutee Chand finishes fifth in 200m final

Hassan, 26, looked to be just off the record but she finished strongly to set the new mark at the 'Brave like Gabe Mile' which was named after the former American middle-distance runner Gabe Grunewald, who died from cancer last month at the age of 32.

A tribute was paid to Grunewald on the big screens at the stadium before the race began. Hassan, who moved to the Netherlands after leaving Ethiopia as a refugee when she was just 15, was always in control.

"I knew I could run fast, but the first 800 was a bit slow, so after that I wasn't thinking it would be a world record," Hassan said. "When I crossed the line I was so surprised.

"After you run the last 400 like that, and set a world record, it gives you so much confidence over 5000m.

Also Read: Dutee Chand 1st Indian to win 100-metre gold in World University Games

"I want to double over 1500 and 5,000 in Doha (at the world championships in September) and the way I finished the last 400 there, it's amazing."

Briton Laura Weightman finished second with her own personal best (4:17.60) in a race that featured four national records and she was invited by Hassan to join her on a lap of honour.

"I'm absolutely delighted - to run 4:17 is a big PB and I'm over the moon for Sifan to break the world record," said Weightman. "She's an amazing athlete - it's a special moment to share this with her."

Monaco: Sifan Hassan of the Netherlands broke the 23-year-old women's mile world record on Friday when she clocked 4 minutes 12.33 seconds, beating the 4:12.56 set by Russia's Svetlana Masterkova in Zurich in 1996.

Also Read: Dutee Chand finishes fifth in 200m final

Hassan, 26, looked to be just off the record but she finished strongly to set the new mark at the 'Brave like Gabe Mile' which was named after the former American middle-distance runner Gabe Grunewald, who died from cancer last month at the age of 32.

A tribute was paid to Grunewald on the big screens at the stadium before the race began. Hassan, who moved to the Netherlands after leaving Ethiopia as a refugee when she was just 15, was always in control.

"I knew I could run fast, but the first 800 was a bit slow, so after that I wasn't thinking it would be a world record," Hassan said. "When I crossed the line I was so surprised.

"After you run the last 400 like that, and set a world record, it gives you so much confidence over 5000m.

Also Read: Dutee Chand 1st Indian to win 100-metre gold in World University Games

"I want to double over 1500 and 5,000 in Doha (at the world championships in September) and the way I finished the last 400 there, it's amazing."

Briton Laura Weightman finished second with her own personal best (4:17.60) in a race that featured four national records and she was invited by Hassan to join her on a lap of honour.

"I'm absolutely delighted - to run 4:17 is a big PB and I'm over the moon for Sifan to break the world record," said Weightman. "She's an amazing athlete - it's a special moment to share this with her."

Intro:Body:

Monaco: Sifan Hassan of the Netherlands broke the 23-year-old women's mile world record on Friday when she clocked 4 minutes 12.33 seconds, beating the 4:12.56 set by Russia's Svetlana Masterkova in Zurich in 1996. 

Hassan, 26, looked to be just off the record but she finished strongly to set the new mark at the 'Brave like Gabe Mile' which was named after the former American middle-distance runner Gabe Grunewald, who died from cancer last month at the age of 32. 

A tribute was paid to Grunewald on the big screens at the stadium before the race began. Hassan, who moved to the Netherlands after leaving Ethiopia as a refugee when she was just 15, was always in control. 

"I knew I could run fast, but the first 800 was a bit slow, so after that I wasn't thinking it would be a world record," Hassan said. "When I crossed the line I was so surprised.

"After you run the last 400 like that, and set a world record, it gives you so much confidence over 5000m.

"I want to double over 1500 and 5,000 in Doha (at the world championships in September) and the way I finished the last 400 there, it's amazing."

Briton Laura Weightman finished second with her own personal best (4:17.60) in a race that featured four national records and she was invited by Hassan to join her on a lap of honour.

"I'm absolutely delighted - to run 4:17 is a big PB and I'm over the moon for Sifan to break the world record," said Weightman. "She's an amazing athlete - it's a special moment to share this with her."


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