Deji’s Doodles. Cole Hawker, Faith Kipyegon and Yulimar Rojas shine on continents
From North Carolina to Monaco to Valencia, it felt like something meaningful was shaping up this weekend. Cole Hawker ran 3:45.94 to set a new American mile record, moving into rarefied territory. In Monaco, Faith Kipyegon took her talents to the roads for the first time over 10km with a 29:46 debut that put her among the fastest women in history, while Yulimar Rojas opened her season with a world-leading 14.95m triple jump, a sign that signaled an increase in injury strength after a tough year.
Hocker breaks record and raises bar in North Carolina
Cole’s stool delivered something special in Winston-Salem, NC, running 3:45.94 win the mile and set an American indoor record. The pace was fair from the start and Hawker stayed calm in the early laps as Dylan DeCambre and James Gormley led the field through fast splits. As the race opened up, he moved smoothly to the front and took control. With 400 meters to go, he pressed harder and closed in 57 seconds, completing a sharp last lap that showed real strength.
The time obliterated Jared Nuguse’s record of 3:46.63, once considered the fastest in the world. Hawker now ranks second on the world list of closed rooms. just behind Jakob Ingebrigtsen (3:45.14). This run builds on his Olympic gold and consistent form this year, showing that his best is not far behind him. He runs with confidence and rhythm, and each race looks more complete than the last.
Eugene, Oregon, USA
July 31 – August 3, 2025 Photo by Kevin Morris
Kipyegon tests a new dimension in Monaco
Faith Kipyegon arrived in Monaco with nothing left to prove on the track, but she took to the roads with the same hunger that built her legacy. The 1500m world record holder and three-time Olympic champion made her 10km debut in Monaco and clocked 29:46, a time that ranks her among the fastest women ever over the distance.
He breezed through the opening 5km in 14:59, running in control and rhythm alongside Benard So and Yona Matejko. The pace held steady as the race unfolded and he found another gear in the closing kilometers to pull clear to secure the win. For an athlete whose furthest race to date was the 5,000 meters on the track, it was a confident and patient step forward.
Monaco has long been kind to him, the venue for his world kilometer record in 2023, and once again it has provided a moment of growth. Kipyegon talked about learning the roads and one day challenging himself in a marathon. This debut feels like the first stone laid on that road, built on strength, curiosity and quiet faith.
Hodgkinson kicks off 2026 in style
Keeley Hodgkinson returned to the track in Birmingham with purpose and strength, clocking a world-leading 1:56.33 to win her 800m at the British Indoor Championships. Running solo for most of the race, he controlled the pace from the gun, going through 200m in 27.36 and reaching the halfway mark in 56.28, a smooth, steady pace. He carried that momentum through 600m in 1:26.11 and continued to press to the line, stopping the clock well ahead of the field.
The time shaved almost a full second off his own British short track record and moved him up to third on the all-time world indoor record. For an athlete who endured a difficult 2025 marked by injury before salvaging a world bronze medal, this performance signaled a resurgence of strength and renewed faith.
Hodgkinson spoke openly about enjoying his healthiest winter in years, and that confidence showed at every turn. Ahead of the World Track and Field Indoor Championships in Lviv, this opening statement sets the tone. He’s sharper, looser and ready to chase the major title still on his list.
Yulimar Rojas starts 2026 with a statement
Julimar Rojas An emphatic return to competition in Valencia with a world-leading triple jump 14.95 m in the Spanish indoor club championship, his best performance since 2023 and the best mark in the world this season. In her first attempt, she showed the power and rhythm that have taken her to multiple world and Olympic titles, backing it up with a second jump of 14.43m as she eased into the meet with confidence and control.
The mark puts him firmly back on the world stage after a difficult 2025 season was marred by an Achilles injury that kept him off the Olympic starting line and limited his world appearances.
He struggled to win last year Bronze medal at the World Championship held in Tokyoa result that spoke volumes for his resilience and competitiveness even as he rebuilt his form. The performance in Valencia feels like the natural next step in that journey, proof that he is moving from recovery to renewal and ready to pursue bigger goals as the season progresses.
