Mary Moraa of Kenya has etched her name into the history books by breaking the 600m world record at ISTAF Berlin 2024, one of Germany’s most prestigious athletics events. Moraa, already a World Champion in the 800m, crossed the finish line in 1:21.63, surpassing the previous world record of 1:21.77 set by South Africa’s Caster Semenya in 2017.

Moraa, competing in the rarely contested 600m for the first time, demonstrated her remarkable speed and endurance from the start. She quickly took control of the race, leading the pack through the 200m mark in a swift 26.0 seconds. By the time she reached 400m, Moraa was ahead of her closest rival, Shafiqua Maloney of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, clocking 52.68 seconds.

In the final stretch, Moraa surged ahead, creating a significant gap between herself and Maloney. Her final lap, timed at an impressive 56.12 seconds, secured her a world record-breaking finish. Maloney finished in second place, setting a national record with a time of 1:22.98, while Germany’s Alica Schmidt claimed third place with a time of 1:24.88.

Moraa celebrated her victory with visible joy, even breaking into a dance with the event’s mascot after her strong finish. This achievement adds to her growing list of accolades, including holding the Kenyan National Record in the 400m indoors.

With this historic victory, the 24-year-old is now turning her focus to the upcoming Diamond League final in Brussels on 13-14 September, where she aims to add yet another title to her stellar season.