EUGENE -- Gudaf Tsegay of Ethiopia smashed the world record in the women's 5000m, running an incredible 14:00.21 at the Diamond League Prefontaine Classic at Hayward Field.

The previous mark of 14:05.20 had been set just in June by Faith Kipyegon of Kenya. 

Tsegay, who had owned the fourth-fastest time in history at 14:12.29, bettered her personal best by nearly 12 seconds.

Securing the fastest time in history has been on the mind of the 26-year-old for the last month. While she won gold in the 10,000m at the World Championships in Budapest, she was unable to contend for the 5000m title -- arguably her best event -- due to injury.

"My focus for today was the world record," Tsegay said. "(Before) I was so hungry for the world championship and my focus was on becoming a world champion, but I missed the 5000 for injury...my leg was the problem. I could not sleep because I was very hungry in my mind. Today is very happy."

? WORLD RECORD ?

Ethiopia's Gudaf Tsegay breaks the world record in the women's 5000m with a time of 14:00.21 to claim the Diamond League trophy!

?: @cnbc & @peacock | #EugeneDL pic.twitter.com/uFCEyYWnmc

— NBC Olympics & Paralympics (@NBCOlympics) September 17, 2023

Beatrice Chebet of Kenya, the world cross-country champion, finished second in a personal-best 14:05.92.

American pacers Sinclaire Johnson (2:48.08) and Elise Cranny (5:37.24) brought the field through the first 2000 meters on world record pace. Birke Haylom of Ethiopia stepped into the lead and did a little teamwork for Tsegay for the ensuing kilometer, pulling Tsegay and Chebet through 3000 meters in 8:26.03.

When Haylom stepped off, it was a two-woman race against the clock with Tsegay doing all of the work in front with Chebet just sitting on her shoulder.

As the duo went through 4000 meters in 11:16.89, they had fallen about two steps behind the world record pacing visible on the green LED rail lights. 

But with 800 meters to go, Tsegay began to surge and it took less than 100 meters for her to drop Chebet and about 200 meters for her to pull back onto world-record pace. 

She continued to push and by the bell was running clear of the world record line.

Ethiopian runners now own six of the top eight times in history in this event, with Kipyegon and Chebet the only exceptions.

With the world record secured, Tsegay vowed that next season she will attempt to break the 14-minute barrier.

"Yes, I will try," she said.