Five years ago, the Kenyan made history by breaking Paula Radcliffe’s world record of 2:14:04 at the Chicago Marathon.
On October 13, 2019, Brigid Cosgey made history by breaking Paula Radcliffe’s long-standing women’s world record with a stunning time of 2:14:04 at the Chicago Marathon.
Radcliffe’s record of 2:15:25, set in London 2003, had stood untouched for 16 years and no athlete had come within 90 seconds of it before Kosgei’s remarkable performance.
Like Radcliffe, Kosgei was assisted by male sensor pacers, but managed to shave considerable time off the all-time mark.
Brigid Cosgey (River)
The 30-year-old’s record-breaking feat came just a day after fellow Kenyan Eliud Kipchoge made headlines by breaking the two-hour marathon barrier with a time of 1:59:41. INEOS 1:59 Challenge in Vienna.
Inspired by his compatriot’s speech yesterday, Kosgei said. “I kept saying, ‘Tomorrow is my day.’ I wanted to be the second Kipchoge for women to focus on.”
Earlier in 2019, Kosgei had already shown his potential by winning the London Marathon in April in a personal best of 2:18:20. She followed that up by running the fastest half marathon ever by a woman in a Great North Run time of 64:28.
His performance in Chicago was extraordinary, crossing the half in 66:59, more than a minute faster than Radcliffe’s world record time in London.
Kenya’s achievement was made even more special because it came exactly 17 years (now 22) after Radcliffe set his first world record of 2:17:18, also in Chicago.
Brigid Cosgey (Mark Shearman)
Kosgei’s 2:14:04 no longer stands as Ethiopian Tigst Assefa bettered it at last year’s Berlin Marathon, running an astonishing 2:11:53 to become the first woman to break 2:14 by a significant margin. :
That means Kosgei is now third on the all-time marathon list, while Sifan Hasan, who won in Chicago last year in 2:13:44, now also moves up the rankings.
The women-only marathon world record is currently held by another Kenyan, Perez Jepchirshir, who clocked 2:16:16 at the London Marathon this year.
After his world record in 2019, Kosgei went on to compete at the Tokyo Olympics, where he secured a silver medal in the marathon behind Jepchirchir. Just eight weeks later, Kosgei finished fourth in the London Marathon.
Brigid Kosgey (London Marathon Events)
Her fifth place finish in London this year in 2:19:02 earned her a place on the Kenyan Olympic team in Paris, along with Jepchirchir and Helen Obiri.
However, he had to withdraw from the team due to an injury sustained on the eve of the games. She was replaced by Sharon Lockedy, ending her dream of a second Olympic appearance.
To celebrate this historic anniversary, you can find our original coverage of the Chicago Marathon Athletics Weekly Archive.
(From the first issue in December 1945 to the present day, current subscribers to our magazine can access this resource for free, while non-subscribers can pay just £399 a month for full access.
» Subscribe to AW Magazine herecheck out our new podcast! here or subscribe to our digital archive of back issues from 1945 to the present day here
The post Five years later. Brigid Kosgey sets 2:14:04 marathon world record in Chicago appeared first AW:.
