Kosgei Sets Tokyo Marathon Record
Kenya's Brigid Kosgei delivered a masterclass at the Tokyo Marathon, winning in 2:14:29—a new course record and finishing more than two minutes ahead of the field. The victory adds to Kosgei's legacy as one of the sport's greatest marathoners. Her dominant performance showcased the gap between elite and sub-elite women's marathon running.
This victory marks a significant return to form for the 32-year-old Kenyan, who has battled injuries in recent years. Her winning time of 2:14:29 is the second-fastest of her career, just shy of her former world record of 2:14:04 set at the 2019 Chicago Marathon. Kosgei's performance shattered the previous Tokyo Marathon women's course record of 2:15:55, which was set by Sutume Asefa Kebede in 2024. Kebede, the two-time defending champion, finished fourth in this year's race. This is Kosgei's second victory in Tokyo, with her first win coming in the 2021 event. Her impressive resume also includes two wins at both the Chicago Marathon (2018, 2019) and the London Marathon (2019, 2020). The race saw a small group of elite women, including Kosgei and Kebede, running together through the halfway point. However, Kosgei made a decisive move around the 35-kilometer mark, creating a significant gap and finishing more than two minutes ahead of runner-up Bertukan Welde of Ethiopia.
