Brigid Kosgei breaks women’s world record at Chicago Marathon

On 13th October, Kenya’s Brigid Kosgei finished the Chicago Marathon in 2 hours 14 minutes and 4 seconds, breaking the long-standing women’s world record for the marathon by more than a minute.

The earlier record was held by Paula Radcliffe from Britain, who had completed the London Marathon in 2003 in 2 hours 15 minutes and 25 seconds. Interestingly, Radcliffe was watching the race in Chicago and was one of the first to congratulate Kosgei on her remarkable performance.

“When I saw how fast Brigid was running in the first half I knew it was going to be broken,” said Radcliffe on her record being broken.

By winning the Chicago Marathon, the twenty-five-year-old Kosgei became the youngest winner of the race.

Ababel Yeshaneh from Ethiopia came second in the race, a total of 6 minutes and 47 seconds behind Kosgei. Gelete Burka from Ethiopia was third in the race.

“I’m feeling good and I am happy because I was not expected to run like this,” Kosgei said after the race.

Kosgei’s record comes less than a day after her countryman Eliud Kipchoge became the first man ever to complete a marathon in less than 2 hours.

Congratulations poured in from across the world for Kosgei. Former President of the United States, Barack Obama too wrote a poignant post on social media congratulating both Kosgei and Kipchoge.

Many congratulations to Kosgei from Team Newsum. We hope to see her create many other records!