In her first marathon since the November TCS New York City Marathon, Kenyan long-distance runner Brigid Kosgei conquered the ADNOC Abu Dhabi Marathon today, shattering the women’s course record.
The fifth edition of the event witnessed Kosgei’s remarkable achievement as she crossed the finish line in 2 hours, 19 minutes, and 15 seconds.
Kosgei’s triumph not only marked her dominance in the women’s race but also saw her surpass the previous course record set by Bahraini runner Eunice Chumba last year.
Chumba’s record of 2:20:41 was taken down by Kosgei’s outstanding performance, earning her not only the winner’s cheque of $50,000 but also an additional $30,000 for breaking the course record.
The 29-year-old Olympic silver medallist expressed her joy at the victory, stating, “This was my first time in Abu Dhabi. My aim from the outset was to win this race. Now I have done it in a course record time, and I want to come back next year to defend my title.”
Overcoming windy and humid conditions, Kosgei pulled ahead of the pack after the 30km mark, securing a comfortable lead.
Reflecting on her race, she said, “I had something to prove after New York, and I’m really happy it all turned out well for me. I loved the crowd here in Abu Dhabi. A lot of people lined up in the streets to cheer me throughout the race, and that encouraged and motivated me more to win this race.”
Despite the course record and her stellar performance, Kosgei remained humble when speaking about her chances of making the Kenyan national team for the 2024 Paris Olympics.
“Kenya has strong marathon runners, and it’s not easy to get into the final three,” she remarked. “If I’m selected, it would be really great for me to compete in my second Olympics. If not, I will concentrate on the other major marathons.”
Brigid Kosgei’s return to form in Abu Dhabi after recovering from injuries demonstrates her resilience and sets the stage for her pursuit of further accolades, including a potential spot in the upcoming Olympic Games.
As one of the most accomplished marathon runners, with multiple victories in major marathons, Kosgei’s legacy continues to grow in the world of long-distance running.
In the men’s category, the spotlight shone on Eritrean athlete Amare Hailemichael Samson, who ended Kenya’s winning streak at the event by securing first place.
Samson completed the marathon in 2 hours, 7 minutes, and 10 seconds, claiming a significant victory in his marathon debut. Leonard Barsoton of Kenya and Ilham Ozbilan of Turkey secured the second and third positions, respectively, in the men’s race.
The Adnoc Abu Dhabi Marathon, hosting over 23,000 runners across various distances, proved to be a platform for outstanding athletic achievements, with Brigid Kosgei and Amare Hailemichael Samson emerging as the elite champions in the women’s and men’s categories.
