Former world marathon record holder Brigid Kosgei has declared her intent to breach the 2:10 barrier after obliterating the course record at the Tokyo Marathon on Sunday.
Kosgei delivered a masterclass on the streets of the Japanese capital, slicing through the field to stop the clock at 2:14:29, a performance that erased the previous course mark of 2:15:55 set by Ethiopia’s Asefa Kebede in 2024.
The 32-year-old outkicked Ethiopians Bertukan Welde (2:16:36) and Hawi Feysa (2:17:39).
Despite smashing the course record, the former world record holder revealed she had her sights set on eclipsing her personal best of 2:14:04.
“The race was nice, the weather was very good. I was trying to improve my personal best,” she said.
“I tried my best and ran 2:14, which is a course record and I appreciate that.”
Now, buoyed by her emphatic Tokyo statement, Kosgei is daring to dream bigger, targeting the 2:10 territory.
“If I try my best, I will go for maybe 2:10 or 2:11,” she noted.
Her ultimate ambition remains the world record, a mark she knows all too well.
In 2019, Kosgei produced one of the greatest runs in marathon history at the Chicago Marathon to set a new world record at the time of 2:14:04.
That mark was later eclipsed by Ethiopia’s Tigst Assefa after she posted 2:11:53 in Berlin 2023.
“The world record is for everyone. If you prepare well, the record will come automatically,” she said.
“I will still try go for it, but not now. After I train well and everything goes well, I will see if it is possible.”
Off the roads, Kosgei has also been linked with a switch of allegiance to Turkey. However, she clarified that the transition is still some distance away.
“I will start representing Turkey at the 2028 Olympics, but right now, not yet,” she explained.
“The reason I chose to run for Turkey is that in Kenya, there are a lot of strong female athletes.”
Meanwhile, the men’s race in Tokyo saw Ethiopia’s Tadese Takele successfully defend his crown in 2:03:37.
Kenya’s Geoffrey Toroitich clocked an identical time to claim second, with compatriot Alexander Munyao behind in 2:03:38. Daniel Mateiko finished fourth in 2:03:44.
Elsewhere, Kenyan athletes stamped their authority at the Roma-Ostia Half Marathon, sweeping the podium in both the men’s and women’s races.
Michael Temoi produced a scintillating run of 58:00 to shatter the course record, leading James Kipkogei (58:39) and Peter Kibenei (59:05).
In the women’s race, Janeth Mutungi clocked 1:08:11 to steer a Kenyan clean sweep ahead of half marathon debutant Caren Chebet (1:09:22) and Catherine Peiyoy (1:09:56).
On Saturday at the Tel Aviv Marathon, Dickson Nyakundi dictated proceedings in 2:10:14, orchestrating yet another Kenyan podium sweep ahead of Felix Kimutai (2:12:21) and Vincent Yator (2:12:25).
In the women’s contest, Ethiopia’s Baraki Gebriala (2:35:20) and Siferew Nitsuh (2:35:28) secured first and second respectively, with Kenya’s Naomi Kakoko rounding off the podium in 2:35:46.
