The much-anticipated women’s 3000m steeplechase final did not produce any podium finishes by members from the Personae group, but still included some personal highlights.
Ruth Jebet led the group finishing in 5th place (9:13.96), followed by Celliphine Chespol in 6th (9:15.04), Winfred Yavi in 8th (9:22.67 personal best), Gesa Krause in 9th (9:23.87), and Purity Kiriu in 10th (9:25.62). The race was the global championships debut at the senior level for Chespol and Yavi (both juniors), as well as for veteran Kirui. Bad luck struck Krause early in the race when she and several other runners crashed and fell to the track. The gold and silver medals in the steeplechase surprisingly went to the American duo of Emma Coburn (in a championships record 9:02.58) and Courtney Frerichs (9:03.77), while defending champion Hyvin Kiyeng Jepkemoi took the bronze medal (9:04.03).
Additional Personae athletes advancing from their heats on day 7 to compete in semi-finals on day 8 included Noelie Yarigo in the 800m (heat – 2nd in 2:00.99; semi – 3rd in 1:59.74 season best); Ann Zagre in the 100m Hurdles (heat – 4th in 12.97; semi – 8th in 13.34); and Homiyu Tesfaye in the 1500m (heat – 5th in 3:38.57; semi – 10th in 3:39.72). None of these three athletes advanced to their event final; however, Yarigo was only 0.27 seconds from making the final based on time.