The first major name for the 2026 edition of the Meeting Herculis EBS has been announced, and it is a formidable one. Kenyan distance superstar Faith Kipyegon has confirmed she will compete at the Stade Louis-II on Friday, July 10, lining up in what promises to be a highly anticipated 3000m race.
At 32, the triple Olympic champion over 1500m continues to redefine the limits of modern middle-distance running. World record holder in both the 1500m and the Mile, Kipyegon recently demonstrated her versatility by stepping onto the roads of the Principality for the first time at the Monaco Run Gramaglia. Her debut over 10km produced an impressive 29:47 — immediately placing her among the fastest women in history at the distance on a first attempt.
Monaco holds particular significance in Kipyegon’s career. It was on this very track at the Stade Louis-II that she produced one of the defining performances of her career in 2023, setting a world record in the Mile during the Herculis meeting. The connection between athlete and venue has since become part of Monaco athletics folklore.
In 2026, however, the focus shifts to 3000m. Kipyegon arrives with a personal best of 8:07.04, recorded in 2025 at the Diamond League meeting in Silesia — a time that places her firmly among the global elite over the distance. Her participation signals strong ambitions for the event, which is widely regarded as one of the highlights of the international athletics calendar.
With her confirmed presence, the Meeting Herculis EBS 2026 sends an early message: the upcoming edition aims to deliver world-class competition from the outset.
The appointment is set. On July 10, 2026, Monaco will once again welcome one of the greatest figures in modern middle-distance history.
Image © Dan Vernon / FMA