LONDON | Emma Coburn led an unlikely 1-2 finish for the United States in the steeplechase at the world championships.
The race was the most jaw-dropping result in a week of upsets at the Olympic Stadium.
Coburn took the lead for good at the final water jump and kicked for home to finish in a championship record of 9:02.58.
“Oh my goodness, what a race to be part of,” Coburn said. “I never expected to win in that time but I kept pressing. It is pretty amazing to get a championship record.”
American teammate Courtney Frerichs finished second by outkicking defending champion Hyvin Jepkemoi of Kenya in a sprint for silver.
“I would never have believed this could happen,” Frerichs said.
Frerichs was 1.19 seconds behind, holding off Jepkemoi in a sprint finish.
