Luel shatters 400m hurdles Kip Keino meet record

Norway’s Amalie Iuel lit up the track at the Kip Keino Classic on Saturday, storming to victory in the women’s 400m hurdles with a new meet record of 54.80 seconds.
Iuel shaved 0.09 seconds off her own record of 54.89 set during last year’s edition of the World Athletics Continental Tour Gold meeting at the Nyayo stadium.
Finland’s Kristiina Halonen pushed hard to take second place in a personal best of 55.32, while Germany’s Eileen Demes rounded out the podium in 55.38.
Beaming with joy after bagging her second win on Kenyan soil, Iuel hailed the atmosphere at the Ulinzi Complex.
“I feel happy for the my second victory here at Kipkeino. It has not been easy but I love the atmosphere and the crowd,” she said.
Halonen, despite setting a personal best, admitted she fell short of her race-day expectations.
“Things did not go as I had planned because I put a lot of pressure on myself,” she said
The Finnish hurdler, however, remained optimistic and is keen to improve her race management moving forward.
“Going forward, I want to ensure I work on my race rhythm and avoid putting a lot of pressure on myself.”
Halonen, like many athletes competing in Nairobi, praised the supportive crowd and high-altitude conditions.
“The altitude was really nice, I loved the fans and I’ll be back here next year, if I’m invited,” she added.