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.
WORLD RECORD: Brigid Kosgei sets the new world record in the marathon at the 2019 @BankofAmerica #ChicagoMarathon! pic.twitter.com/lakum2XoET
— Chicago Marathon (@ChiMarathon) October 13, 2019
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.
Yesterday, marathoner Eliud Kipchoge became the first ever to break two hours. Today in Chicago, Brigid Kosgei set a new women’s world record. Staggering achievements on their own, they’re also remarkable examples of humanity’s ability to endure—and keep raising the bar.
— Barack Obama (@BarackObama) October 13, 2019
Many congratulations to Kosgei from Team Newsum. We hope to see her create many other records!
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