Brigid Kosgei Sets Tokyo Record
Kenya's Brigid Kosgei delivered a historic performance in Tokyo, winning the women's title with a new course record of 2:14:29—over two minutes ahead of her nearest rival. The 32-year-old, who also won in Tokyo in 2021, continues to push the boundaries of women's marathon running.
Kosgei's winning time of 2:14:29 is the seventh-fastest women's marathon in history and the second-fastest of her career. Her personal best remains 2:14:04, a world record she set at the 2019 Chicago Marathon. This victory marks Kosgei's first win in a major marathon in four years, signaling a powerful return to form after struggling with injuries. She denied Ethiopia's Sutume Asefa Kebede a third consecutive Tokyo victory; Kebede had set the previous course record of 2:15:55 in 2024. Beyond Tokyo, Kosgei's marathon resume includes two wins each at the prestigious Chicago (2018, 2019) and London (2019, 2020) marathons. At 25, she became the youngest woman ever to win the London event. The Kenyan runner also holds an Olympic silver medal from the 2020 Tokyo Games. She formerly held the women's marathon world record for a mixed-sex race, a mark that stood for over three years.
