Jessica Hull On Why 1500m Runners Are Lucky to Have Faith Kipyegon Leading Them

The Australian has reflected on Faith Kipyegon's remarkable influence, explaining why the 1500m community feels fortunate to have her leading the way.

Olympic 1500m silver medallist Jessica Hull has taken fans through the relationship she has with world 1500m record holder Faith Kipyegon since they started competing together.

Jessica Hull opened up about how Faith Kipyegon is revolutionising the 1500m as she went down memory lane to the moment that proved the Kenyan distance runner was different.

The world 1500m bronze medallist believes Faith Kipyegon is bringing a new era of friendship-rivalry, something she witnessed at the 2023 Diamond League Meeting in Florence.

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At the event, Faith Kipyegon broke the 1500m world record for the first time, clocking 3:49.11 to cross the finish line ahead of former Olympic 1500m silver medallist Laura Muir, who struck a season best time of 3:57.09 at the time.

Australian Jessica Hull completed the podium in a national record and personal best time of 3:57.29, with women who followed clocking personal best times and season best times. After the race, Faith Kipyegon’s opponents celebrated with her, something that was not always the case in other distances.

Jessica Hull Hails Faith Kipyegon as a Blessing to Track and Field

Jessica Hull reflected on Faith Kipyegon’s remarkable humility and sportsmanship, recalling that after she broke the world record in Florence, the entire field celebrated her achievement.

The Australian shared that even later at the hotel, Faith Kipyegon took the time to congratulate her on setting a national record before she could even congratulate her on the world record.

Jessica Hull admitted she found that moment extraordinary, noting that while her national record felt small compared to Faith Kipyegon’s historic feat, the Kenyan star still made a point to acknowledge her achievement first, a gesture that spoke volumes about her character.

“I think we definitely saw it that night in Florence when she first broke the world record. I think just seeing the field celebrate her,” Jessica Hull told Citius Mag.

“But then even down to like little moments like back in the hotel, there where she kind of took the time to congratulate me on a national record, like before I could personally congratulate her on a world record.

“I was like that's just so extreme, like my national record is very small compared to what she has just done, but like she was very, very much like I'm going to say congratulations to Jessica as I'm like trying to congratulate her on the world record that we've all known, kind of like she deserved to hold.”

Jessica Hull reflected that Faith Kipyegon’s world record had long felt inevitable given her many global achievements.

The Olympic silver medalist added that witnessing Faith Kipyegon finally reach that milestone while still uplifting others in the field demonstrated her leadership and influence in women’s middle-distance running.

Jessica Hull further noted that Faith Kipyegon had guided the event with grace and consistency for several years, shaping the competitive environment both on and off the track, a dynamic she compared to what can be observed in men’s 1500m races, where the tone is also set by those at the very top.

“Like she had so many global titles that the world record just seemed like a matter of time. So, I think just sort of knowing that okay, she's worked for that for so long, and then she's just achieved it, but she's still passing it forward down the field,” Jessica Hull added.

“It just kind of showed me the way that she's going to lead, and she's led us that way for pretty much 3 to four years now. It's been just kind of cool to see from the top down what just began.”

Jessica Hull expressed that athletes in the women’s 1500m are fortunate to have Faith Kipyegon, whose commitment to elevating the sport and uplifting others has set a lasting standard.

She observed that Faith Kipyegon’s example has made generosity and camaraderie a defining part of the event’s culture, inspiring new athletes each year to carry on that same spirit of support and encouragement.

“And I think we're just very lucky to have someone like Faith who is very much about just elevating the sport and passing it forward in our event that it's just become the norm,” she revealed.

“And it's like I think when we have new athletes coming in every year, and just like looking up to that from the top, it just encourages that to stay the same and that camaraderie to pass forward.”

Jessica Hull also reflected on her long-standing connection with Nikki Hiltz, noting that their shared journey through key career milestones has created a deep sense of mutual respect and admiration.

She added that competing and growing alongside someone who understands the same challenges has been both rewarding and enjoyable, and that the time they spend together off the track has strengthened their bond into a genuine friendship, similar to Faith Kipyegon.