Kenya’s Kosgei smashes the world record by 81 seconds in winning the Chicago Marathon
CHICAGO – Brigid Kosgei shocked the race world with what she did at the Chicago Marathon on Sunday – she had just smashed the world record by 81 seconds, is all – but she likely surprised just as many observers by what she said afterward.
“It’s amazing for me. I’ve never believed that time (was possible),” said the Kenyan, whose mark of 2 hours, 14 minutes, 4 seconds eclipsed Paula Radcliffe’s previous record of 2:15:25, set at the 2003 London Marathon, as well as Radcliffe’s course record (2:17:18) set in 2002.
Kosgei went into the race set on hitting a personal best of at least 2:15:00, but then she added, “I think it’s possible for even 2:10 (for a woman) to run if they are sure.
“You must be focused in everything.”
She was asked whether 2 hours, 10 minutes is now her personal objective at a future marathon.
“If it’s possible, if my body feels good at that time, I can reduce a little bit slowly.”
Marathon director Carey Pinkowski said he wasn’t surprised by Kosgei’s feat after observing her since 2017 and recalled that she said Saturday she plan to reach the halfway point in 1 hour, 8 minutes flat. She ran a second under 1 hour, 7 minutes.
“It just follows a great tradition,” he said. “This is the fifth world record that we’ve had, going back to Steve Jones . ... We haven’t had a world’s best since Paula in 2002, 17 years ago.
“I think Brigid feels really comfortable here. Obviously, she spoke with her athletic performance. It’s exciting. It hasn’t really sunk in for me. We’ll probably enjoy it a little bit later this evening.”