The Prefontaine Classic, one of the most storied events on the global athletics calendar, set to unfold on July 5 at the University of Oregon, will miss two of its biggest headliners.
Olympic champion Jakob Ingebrigtsen and newly crowned Olympic 800m gold medalist Keely Hodgkinson have both withdrawn from their respective events, dealing a blow to what was billed as a blockbuster edition of the meet.
The Bowerman Mile, the signature race of the Prefontaine Classic, holds immense historical significance. It honors legendary coach Bill Bowerman, who co-founded Nike and mentored American distance running icon Steve Prefontaine. This year’s race promised to be another classic chapter in that ongoing legacy, but Ingebrigtsen’s absence signals a notable shift.
The news broke on June 29, when respected track and field journalist Jonathan Gault confirmed via social media that Ingebrigtsen’s name was missing from the official entry list. The Norwegian star, who previously withdrew from the Ostrava Diamond League, is currently nursing an injury.
Keely Hodgkinson’s withdrawal from the women’s 800m comes as a disappointment for fans eager to witness her season debut. Fresh off her Olympic triumph in Paris, Hodgkinson had planned to open her campaign at Pre, setting up a tantalizing rematch with Ethiopian silver medalist Tsige Duguma. However, injury concerns have sidelined the Brit, delaying what could have been one of the meet’s standout moments.
Despite these high-profile exits, the Prefontaine Classic’s fields remain packed with quality. The Bowerman Mile will still feature world-class talent, including Reynold Cheruiyot, Timothy Cheruiyot, Grant Fisher, and Jake Wightman, ensuring the race retains its competitive edge.
Meanwhile, excitement is building around the women’s 100m, where Sha’Carri Richardson makes her long-awaited return to the track. The reigning Olympic champion has only raced once this season, but she’ll be looking to make a statement in Eugene.
Joining her are training partner Melissa Jefferson-Wooden, who shared the Olympic podium with Richardson, and St. Lucian sprint sensation Julien Alfred. With Julien and Melissa holding the season’s two fastest times, the stage is set for a high-octane sprint clash.