Kenya's Mary Moraa sets new 600m world record in Berlin

Kenyan athlete Mary Moraa has set a new world record in the 600m, triumphing at the ISTAF Berlin 2024, Germany's premier athletics meet. The reigning 800m World Champion clocked an impressive time of 1:21.63, breaking the previous record of 1:21.77 held by South Africa's Caster Semenya by 0.14 seconds.

Competing in the rarely-contested distance for the first time, Moraa, who boasts a personal best of 1:56.03 in the 800m, surged to the front immediately after the starting gun, reaching the 200m mark in 26.0 seconds.

SHE’S BACK 🌪️

Mary Moraa powers to 600m world best of 1:21.63 in Berlin. pic.twitter.com/0juM01PHdR

— World Athletics (@WorldAthletics) September 1, 2024

As the race progressed, Moraa asserted her dominance, crossing the 400m mark in 52.68 seconds, while holding off a strong challenge from Shafiqua Maloney. In the final stretch, Moraa pulled away, powering through to the finish line to claim the world record. Maloney, representing Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, finished second with a national record time of 1:22.98, while Germany's Alica Schmidt took third place with a time of 1:24.88.

Moraa’s final lap was clocked at a blistering 56.12 seconds, and her excitement was evident as she celebrated with dance moves alongside the event’s mascot. This latest record adds to Moraa's growing list of achievements, including the Kenyan National Record in the 400m (indoors).

2024 ISTAF Berlin

Arkansas alum Shafiqua Maloney breaks her St. Vincent & the Grenadines 600m national record with a 1:22.98 runner-up finish

Previous best 1:23.80 was set in early April this season
No. 7 performer & performance on world all-time list

🎥 Flosports pic.twitter.com/KEpCAJ8gKQ

— Arkansas Track & Field (@RazorbackTF) September 1, 2024

The 24-year-old is set to compete in the Diamond League final in Brussels on 13-14 September, having secured her spot with a victory in Lausanne on 22 August.