Team USA hadn’t medaled in the 3,000-meter steeplechase since Brian Diemer won bronze in 1984, and the women had never medaled. Emma Coburn changed that on Monday morning in Rio, racing to an American record of 9:07.63 to finish in the bronze medal position, bringing home the first ever medal for the Americans in the event.
Rio 2016: Emma Coburn’s bronze is first ever medal for U.S. women in 3,000-meter steeplechase, Ruth Jebet wins gold
The U.S. runner broke the American record as Ruth Jebet of Bahrain just missed the world record.
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Ruth Jebet, a 19-year-old from Bahrain, won gold in 8:59.75, just missing the world record. Hyvin Jepkemoi of Kenya held of a hard-charging Coburn to win the silver medal in 9:07.12.
The steeplechase isn’t your normal track event. With five hurdles and one water barrier per lap, it takes endurance, speed and athleticism -- and with falls and surges, it’s one of the most exciting races on the track.
Jebet blew the race open after 1,000 meters, surging to the front to string out the field. Two Kenyans did their best to follow, and Coburn stuck close in fourth. With 1K to go, Jebet had the race won, but the Kenyans were coming back to Coburn, who had bided her time. She passed Beatrice Chepkoech with two laps to go and nearly made her way past Jepkemoi.
Coburn brought home the first medal for Team USA in the distance events and broke the second American Record of the meet after Molly Huddle ran to a national record in the 10,000 meters.
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