Just five days after smashing her personal best in the 1500m to set a new Australian record, Jessica Hull obliterated the world record in the rarely-raced 2000m overnight.
The 27-year-old clocked 5:19.70 in Monaco, beating the previous record set by Ethiopia’s Genzebe Dibaba in 2018 of 5:21.56s.
It came after Hull shattered her personal best in the 1500m by over five seconds as she finished second to Kenya’s Faith Kipyegon in the Paris Diamond League. Kipyegon beat her own world record in that race, but Hull’s time was still the fifth fastest ever.
This time around, Hull was roared on by the crowd as she raced against fan-friendly green lights around the stadium which track world record pace.
“It was incredible, when I was on my own in the last lap, everyone was cheering for me,” she said. “I was just looking at the lights hoping that they don’t catch me.”
She added: “There are for sure some women who can run that 5:19, but for now I have my place in the history books. I ran hard for this record, I worked extremely hard for this.”
After her exertions in Paris, Hull conceded she felt plenty of fatigue – but pushed herself to new heights in her record run.
“I definitely felt the Paris race all week in my legs,” Hull laughed.
“So, today the goal was just to be strong, even if my legs were very heavy. I ran at a different pace and level of fatigue that I have never been at before.”
Hull finished 11th in the 1500m final on her Olympic debut in Tokyo last time out, but enters this year’s tournament as a genuine medal chance.
“It is amazing to be called a world record-holder now,” she added. “I am running so fast now, because I have been healthy for four years and have a really strong body now.”
Legendary athletics commentator David Culbert wrote on social media: “Jess Hull rewriting all sorts of record books in the last week. World record in the 2,000m in Monaco. Great stat below re it being 100 years since Australia’s first world record. Nick Winter in the triple jump at the Paris Olympics. Our first field event gold medallist.”
Sports commentator Tim Rosen wrote: “2000m World Record for Jess Hull caps off a remarkable week for her. We have never won a medal in the women’s 1500m.”
AthsStats posted: “Jess Hull smashes 2000m world record by nearly 2 seconds running 5:19.70. 100 years to the day since Nick Winter became first Australian to break an athletics World Record. Jess Hull … you are amazing!”