The stage is set for one of the most thrilling distance races of the year as Ethiopia’s finest long-distance runners gear up to chase history at the Wanda Diamond League meeting in Oslo next month.
Hagos Gebrhiwet, Yomif Kejelcha, Berihu Aregawi, and Telahun Bekele will spearhead Ethiopia’s challenge at the prestigious Bislett Games on June 12, with their sights firmly set on breaking the 5000m world record, a feat that has remained untouched since 2020.
The current world record of 12:35.36, set by Uganda’s Joshua Cheptegei at the Monaco Diamond League, has proven elusive in recent years. However, hopes are high that the mark could finally fall on Oslo’s famed Bislett Stadium track, renowned for its fast times and historic performances.
Adding to the high-stakes atmosphere, Kenya’s Jacob Krop and Nicolas Kipkorir will be in the mix, creating a loaded field featuring eight of the world’s top 20 ranked 5000m runners. This showdown promises both valuable Diamond League points and a serious assault on the world record books.
Last year, Gebrhiwet came agonizingly close in Oslo, missing the record by just over a second. With momentum on his side and lessons from that narrow miss, the Ethiopian will be aiming to better his performance and deliver Bislett Stadium’s 72nd world record.
Currently, Berihu Aregawi leads the 2025 Diamond League standings alongside Kenya’s Reynold Cheruiyot. Aregawi set a meeting record of 12:50.45 to win in Keqiao, while Cheruiyot secured victory in Doha with a personal best of 13:16.40 — setting the stage for an electric rematch in Oslo.
About the Wanda Diamond League
The Wanda Diamond League is the premier one-day athletics series globally, featuring 15 elite track and field meetings. Athletes compete for points across 14 events, aiming to qualify for the two-day Wanda Diamond League Final in Zurich on August 27-28, 2025.
As the countdown to Oslo begins, all eyes will be on the Ethiopian stars and their rivals to see if this could be the night a five-year-old record finally falls.
