Chicago next for Kosgei
Kenya’s Brigid Kosgei will head to next month’s Chicago Marathon in high spirits after breaking the World Half Marathon record during Sunday’s Great North Run in Tyneside, United Kingdom.
The 2018 Chicago Marathon winner run the fastest time of 1:04:28, a month before returning to the city of Illinois where she ran a personal best of 2:18:35 for victory a year ago.
Her time was 23 seconds quicker than the world record set in 2017 by fellow Kenyan Joyciline Jepkosgei but the course in the northeast of England is not eligible for records. Jepkosgei’s record, set in Valencia, Spain stood at 1:04:51.
The 25-year-old, who won the 2019 London Marathon in a time of 2:20:13 is impressed by her progress and she is now targeting her Chicago title defence as well as running better times.
“I was second in the Great North Run last year. That is why I see the victory as assign of great improvement. Besides that, I set a new record,” said Kosgei, who lost to Vivian Cheruiyot at the same course, last year.
“Even in Chicago, I was runners up twice before winning the race last year. For me, that shows progress over the years,” added Kosgei, who in 2017 lost to Ethiopia’s Tirunesh Dibaba in Chicago.
For an athlete who has finished first or second in eight of her nine career marathons, she is optimistic of getting better times.
“Even in the London Marathon, I was second before eventually winning the race this year. Being a World Marathon Major, it’s such a huge motivation heading to Chicago,” said the athlete, who was second to compatriot Cheruiyot again, in London last year.
Running better times in Chicago is Kosgei’s motivation despite the race carrying a winner’s prize of Sh10million. “I wish I can lower my personal best in Chicago. That remains my number one priority. I want to push myself further,” said Kosgei.
