Brigid Kosgei, 25, of Kenya won the 2019 Chicago Marathon in 2:14:04 , besting a world record that has stood since 2003.
She went out at a blazing clip, clocking a 15:28 first 5K, that most spectators thought could result in a major blowup later in the race. Instead, Kosgei settled in behind two male pacemakers, consistently covering the next several 5K intervals at 16 minutes.
The previous world record of 2:15:25 has been held by Paula Radcliffe since 2003, set at the London Marathon. The IAAF, the governing body of the sport, recognizes two world records for women—one for women’s-only races and one for those clocked in races with men. Mary Keitany of Kenya owns the women’s-only mark, 2:17:01 set at the. 2017 London Marathon.
Kosgei wins $100,000 for winning the race and receives a bonus of $75,000 for the course record, which was also held by Radcliffe (2:17:18).
Kosgei came to Chicago as the defending champions and she is the 2019 London Marathon winner as well.
This story will be updated.