Former University of Colorado runner Jenny Simpson joined all the other top medal contenders in advancing to the women's 1,500 meters final at the world track championship on Sunday in Beijing.
Simpson, the 2011 world champion, will face a star-studded field in Tuesday's final, including Ethiopian world record holder Genzebe Dibaba and American record holder Shannon Rowbury.
Simpson, who celebrated her 29th birthday Sunday, advanced to the final after taking fifth in the second heat in 4:08.20. Dibaba closed hard in the second semi to win in 4:06.74, with Kenya's Faith Kipyegon keeping close in 4:06.88.
In the slow-paced first semi, Sifan Hassan of the Netherlands moved up to win in 4:15.