Former women’s marathon world record holder Brigid Kosgei was in imperious form on Sunday, storming to a new course record at the Shanghai Marathon after clocking a scintillating 2:16:36.
Kosgei’s time dipped well under the previous mark of 2:20:36 set back in 2018 by Yebrgual Melese of Ethiopia. The 31-year-old continued to underline her status as one of the sport’s most dominant forces, outkicking compatriot Irene Cheptai, who settled for second in 2:18:51.
Ethiopian Tiruye Mesfin rounded off the podium in 2:20:38, completing a high-calibre women’s race.
In the men’s contest, Ethiopia’s Milkesa Mengesha claimed the crown in style, cutting the tape in 2:06:25. Kosgei arrived on the streets of China determined to finally clinch her first marathon victory of the year, having come agonizingly close on two previous outings.
She opened her 2024 season with a strong runner-up finish at the Hamburg Marathon, clocking 2:18:26 behind Ethiopia’s Workenesh Edesa (2:17:55), with compatriot Sichala Kumeshi third in 2:19:53.
Her most recent effort over the classic 42km distance came in August at the Sydney Marathon, where she clocked 2:18:56 to finish behind Dutch star Sifan Hassan (2:18:22). Ethiopia’s Edesa once again featured on the podium, coming home third in 2:22:15. Kosgei boasts one of the most illustrious marathon resumes among Kenya’s formidable female distance-running royalty.
In 2019, she smashed the women’s world record in Chicago with a breathtaking 2:14:04, a mark that stood until 2023 when Ethiopian Tigist Assefa rewrote history with her sensational 2:11:53. Another highlight of Kosgei’s glittering career came at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games, where she powered to silver in 2:27:36, finishing just behind compatriot Peres Jepchirchir (2:27:20).
Kosgei is also a two-time Chicago Marathon champion, winning in 2018 (2:18:35) and again in 2019 when she set the world record. She had earlier finished second in 2017, clocking 2:20:22 behind Ethiopian legend Tirunesh Dibaba (2:18:30). Her dominance extends to London as well, where she clinched titles in 2019 (2:18:20) and 2020 (2:18:58), adding a runner-up finish in 2018 (2:20:13) to her decorated record.
Kosgei’s trophy cabinet also features the 2021 Tokyo Marathon title, which she won in 2:16:02, ahead of Ethiopians Ashete Bekere (2:17:58) and Gotytom Gebreslase (2:18:18).
by TEDDY MULEI
