Brigid Kosgei strikes with course record in Abu Dhabi

ATHLETICS Brigid Kosgei strikes with course record in Abu Dhabi

Abigael Wafula 09:54 - 16.12.2023

2019 London Marathon champion Brigid Kosgei has announced her return with a commanding win at the ADNOC Abu Dhabi Marathon.

Former world marathon record holder Brigid Kosgei has announced her return, striking with a course record at the ADNOC Abu Dhabi Marathon.

Kosgei clocked 2:19:15 to cross the finish line first ahead of the Ethiopian duo of Hawi Feysa and Ethlemahu Sintayehu who clocked 2:24:03 and 2:25:36 respectively.

The Kenyan has suffered a setback of injuries and her win in the streets of the capital of the United Arab Emirates is proof that she is back and ready to reclaim her world record.

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The 2019 Chicago Marathon champion opened her 2023 season on quite a low note when she withdrew from the London Marathon a few minutes into the race.

However, she turned the tables at the New York City Marathon where she finished fourth in an astonishing time of 2:27:45. With the Olympic Games coming up next year, Kosgei has also proven to be in formidable shape to vie for a ticket to the global showpiece.

Tirunesh Dibaba from Ethiopia, who was coming from a maternity break, was nowhere to be seen as Kosgei oozed class to clinch the victory. The three-time Olympic champion was tipped to be Kosgei’s greatest challenger in the race but the marathon was not her cup of tea on Saturday morning.

Meanwhile, the men’s race saw debutant Samson Amare clock 2:07:10 to thrash his opponents and take the top prize.

Kenya’s Leonard Barsoton finished second after clocking 2:09:37 as another debutant, Ilham Tanui Özbilen, completed the podium. Pre-race favourite Paul Tanui did not make the cut to the podium bracket.