Faith Kipyegon wins the women's 1,500m in a world record 3:48.68 during the 50th Prefontaine Classic at Hayward Field on July 5, 2025 at Eugene, USA.
In Oregon, USA
Hayward Field in Eugene, Oregon in the USA was the venue for action on Saturday as top athletes descended on the field during the Prefontaine Classic Diamond League.
Athletics Kenya used the event to select the teams that will represent Kenya in men's 10,000m and women's 5,000m during the 2025 World Athletics Championships in Tokyo, Japan, slated for September 13-21.
During the event, US-based athletes Edwin Kurgat, Ishmael Kipkurui and Benson Kiplangat were picked to represent Kenya in the 10,000m in Tokyo while Beatrice Chebet, Agnes Jebet Ngetich and Margaret Akidor will star in the 5,000m race.
Defending champion Faith Kipyegon will join the team courtesy of a wild card.
What is worth noting is that Hayward Field has become home to new records. In less than five years, since 2021, at least 10 new world records have been broken at the facility.
The facility, with a capacity of 12,605 people, filled to capacity during Saturday’s Diamond League meet.
The latest records were set at the venue by Kenyan stars, Beatrice Chebet and Faith Kipyegon in the women’s 5,000m and women’s 1,500m respectively.
Chebet would once again lower the 5,000m record when she clocked 13:58.06 to become the first woman to run under 14 minutes. She broke Ethiopia’s Gudaf Tsegay’s earlier record of 14:00.21.
Last year, at the same venue, Chebet set a new women’s 10,000m world record of 28:54.14 as she became the first woman to run a sub 29.
Faith Kipyegon of Kenya reacts after winning the women's 1,500m race in a world record time of 3:48.68 during the 50th Prefontaine Classic at Hayward Field on July 5, 2025.
Apart from the world records, athletes have also registered national records and personal bests in various races at Hayward Field.
So, the question is; what makes Hayward Field a haven for new records?
The facility has turned out to be one of the favourites for breaking records due to its fast-track surface because it is still new. The track is soft and bouncy and does not therefore hurt athletes' feet as would an old track.
This follows the completion of renovations that started in 2018. The field hosted the 2022 World Athletics Championships.
Also, modern designs and new technology have made the facility ideal for races. This has also seen more seats put next to the finish line. This has created an atmosphere where fans can cheer athletes all the way to the finish line.
The weather conditions at the facility are also favourable, enabling athletes to perform well.
Beatrice Chebet of Kenya celebrates winning the women's 5,000m race in a world record 13:58.06 during the 50th Prefontaine Classic at Hayward Field on July 5, 2025.
The stadium is always filled to capacity, especially during diamond league races and during the US National Track and Field events, according to Anderson Bobo, the Creative Director at the University of Oregon, which owns the Hayward Field.
Often referred to as the home of Hayward Magic, it has solidified its status as a world records haven as was witnessed last weekend.
The field's history dates back to 1919 when it was first built as a football pitch. It had been a grazing field for dairy cows that supplied milk to students in the nearby hostels.
The facility is named after Bill Hayward, known as the father of Oregon track and field. Bill was also known as the ‘Grand Old Man’ during his 44-year career as a Duck coach, from 1904-1947. In addition to his track and field coaching duties, Hayward served as an athletics trainer and basketball coach.
He coached four world record holders, six American record holders, and nine Olympians. Bill Hayward also assisted in training US Olympic teams from 1908-1932.
He died on December 14, 1947, aged 79.
The renovations at the facility were funded by Penny and Phil Knight and more than 50 other donors.
University of Oregon Athletics Archivist Laura Goss said the stadium has become an icon that has been associated with the institution for many years, hosting various events.
Prefontaine Classic Diamond League
“The facility has taken athletics to another level. It has also contributed to the university. Many teams have benefited from the stadium and it is not only the student-athletes using it. The local community also has a chance to use it and that has brought the entire system together,” she said.
She added: “The renovations cost a total amount of USD270 million (Sh 34,894,800,000). The donors saw the need to improve the facility to host major events,” said Laura.
This year, the facility has hosted home meets, team invites, high school meets, Big 10 meets, High School championships, USA Track and Field Under-20 meet, National Collegiate Athletics Association National Championships, and Prefontaine Classic Diamond League. It is also expected to host the USA Track and Field National trials ahead of the World Athletics Championships.
The track has nine lanes. The distance between spectators and athletes is also reduced. The seating arrangement is in the form of spacious 22-inch seats with comfortable 44-inch tread depth throughout the stadium. The first row is just a foot from the last lane with one part of the stadium left wide open.
The stadium also has a building that has nine floors, hosting offices. The building also has a security room, conference room rooms and an exterior observation deck.
