Brigid Kosgei has her sights set on a place in the 2024 Paris Olympics, with the belief that success in Saturday’s fifth Adnoc Abu Dhabi Marathon will improve her chances of earning a spot in the Kenyan national team.
The Tokyo silver medallist has a lot to prove after finishing fourth in her first appearance at the New York Marathon, behind compatriots Hellen Obiri (winner) and Sharon Lokedi (third).
Obiri clocked two hours, 27 minutes and 23 seconds as Ethiopian Letesenbet Gidey came in between to take second and deny a podium sweep for Kenya last month.
Kosgei was 18 seconds behind the winner but considers that a big improvement after she didn’t finish the London Marathon in April, a race which she had won twice in 2019 and 2020.
“I have had a niggling knee injury that resurfaced in London and then I ran the New York Marathon after a long break. I didn’t do well in that, finishing fourth, and that’s why I came here to win and improve my timing,” Kosgei, who held the women’s marathon world record, told The National.
“So, yes, I got something to prove. I hope I can win a place in the three-member marathon squad for Kenya. That’s why I’m here just over a month after running a tough race like the New York Marathon.”
Kosgei improved on Briton Paula Radcliffe's 16-year-old record by 81 seconds at the 2019 Chicago Marathon, winning in two hours 14 minutes and four seconds.
However, that performance was bettered by Ethiopia's Tigst Assefa (2:11:53) at the Berlin Marathon in September.
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Dr Sultan al Jaber, Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology and Adnoc's group chief executive, honours Kenyan-born Bahraini athlete Eunice Chumba and winners of the Adnoc Abu Dhabi Marathon on Saturday. Wam -
Dr Sultan Al Jaber, Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology and Adnoc managing director, with Kenyan Timothy Kiplagat and winners of the Adnoc Abu Dhabi Marathon on Saturday. Wam -
Elite women's race winner Eunice Chumba of Bahrain with Kenya's Angela Tanui and Mare Dibaba at the Adnoc Abu Dhabi Marathon on Saturday, December 17, 2022. All images Khushnum Bhandari / The National -
From left: Angela Tanui, who finished second, race winner Eunice Chumba and Mare Dibaba on the podium for women's elite category at the Adnoc Abu Dhabi Marathon. -
Race winner Eunice Chumba at the Abu Dhabi Marathon. -
From left, second place runner Felix Kimutai, race winner Timothy Kiplagat, and Adeladhew Mamo at the Abu Dhabi Marathon. -
Kenyan Timothy Kiplagat won the Abu Dhabi Marathon after starting as a pacemaker. -
Kenyan Timothy Kiplagat wins the Abu Dhabi Marathon. -
People cheer on participants at the Adnoc Abu Dhabi Marathon. -
Runners line up at the start line. -
A band performs. -
People cheer on participants along the way. -
Participants wait to set off. -
People cheer on the runners. -
Action at the Adnoc Abu Dhabi Marathon. -
Participants warm up in the early hours. -
Participants prepare for the race. -
It was still dark when the runners set off. -
Participants have the finish line in sight. -
Kenyan Timothy Kiplagat won the men's race. -
Fans cheer on the participants in Abu Dhabi. -
Race winner Eunice Chumba. -
Participants at the Adnoc Abu Dhabi Marathon. -
The Abu Dhabi Marathon saw over 20,000 participants. -
Winners of the women's elite category of the Abu Dhabi Marathon. -
From left: second place Noaman El Assaoui, winner Anouar El Ghouz, and Ismail El Kharchi on the 10km run podium -
Timothy Kiplagat won the men's Abu Dhabi Marathon. -
Dr. Sultan Ahmed Al Jaber presents trophies to Chloe Tighe, left, and Eilish McColgan after the 10km run.
“The record can be broken again,” Kosgei said. “If not me, someone else would do that. I have been running at the highest level for over six years and I feel I can still improve my personal best time.
“Unlike New York, which is a bit hilly, Abu Dhabi is a nice flat course. So let’s see if I can take advantage of that.
“My intention in Abu Dhabi isn’t the world record, though, but a good time, or perhaps the course record, which can put me in a position to win a spot on the national team for the Olympics.”
Tirunesh Dibaba, who has won three track golds and three bronze across four Olympics from 2008 to 2016, was among Kosgei's challengers in Abu Dhabi.
The Ethiopian was a last minute withdrawal, leaving Kosgei to head the elite women’s field that also includes fellow Kenyans Emily Kipchumba, Aurelia Kiptui, and a host of Ethiopians.
Kosgei has five major marathon titles in her bag. She won the 2018 and 2019 Chicago Marathons, the 2019 and 2020 London Marathons and the 2021 Tokyo Marathon. She won silver in the marathon event at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.
Marathon has been a part of her life. Kosgei's journey began at age 14. With her mother also being a distance runner, she was encouraged to nurture her talent and pursue her career at higher levels. At 17, she began training with her now husband Matthew Kosgei.
“Running came naturally for me. My mum was a distance runner. She couldn’t make it big time but she always encouraged us to pursue full time training and that’s what you see in me now,” Kosgei added.
Kosgei’s younger sister Pamela, 19, is following her path and has already made a name for herself by winning bronze in the World Under 20 Cross Country 3,000-metre steeplechase and African U20 champion.
