Brigid makes last sprint to bag top prize in Monaco

April 28, 2019 Kenya's Brigid Kosgei in action during the women's elite race REUTERS

Four years since she ran her first major marathon, Brigid Kosgei’s running career, now in its fourth year, has always been on an upward dash.

And to crown what has been a successful year for the Kenyan runner, she looks set to secure this year’s world athlete of the year (women) title at a gala in Monaco, on Saturday night.  

Brigid, who won in Chicago last year in 2:18:35 and improved her PB to 2:18:20 to win in London in April, set out at a blisteringly fast pace to break Paula Radcliffe’s previous record of 2:15:25 while defending her Chicago title.

Other than 42km races, the 25-year-old also won the Houston Half Marathon in a course record of 1:05:50, clocked a half marathon PB of 1:05:28 in Zallaq Half Marathon in Bahrain.

The mother of twins also won at the Great North Run last month in 1:04:28, the fastest half marathon performance in history, although it’s not eligible for record purposes given the downhill nature of the course.

“I had a good season and I’m glad to have been shortlisted for the female athlete of the year award. But I’m not sure of winning the prize,” said Brigid, who leaves for the gala on Thursday.

The Kapsowar-born runner will contest for awards against Delilah Mohammed of America, who also broke the world record with 52.20 at the US Championships.

She then improved on her own world record to win the world 400m hurdles title in 52.16 seconds in Doha. She was a member of American 4x400m that won the world title in Doha.

Another force among the finalist is Jamaican Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce, who came back from maternity to win the world 100m and 4x100m titles in world-leading times of 10.71 and 41.44.

She also won the Pan-American 200m title. The Jamaican won seven of her 10 100m races.

Yulimar Andrea Rojas Rodríguez of Venezuelan is also in the mix having won world triple jump title with 15.37m. The Venezuelan won nine of her 12 competitions, including the Pan-American Games.

Sifan Hassan of the Netherlands is also a finalist having showed her best form this season winning double gold at the world championships in 1500m and 10,000m titles respectively. 

The Dutchwoman also won 1,500m and 5,000m Diamond League titles and broke world mile record with 4:12.33 in Monaco.

Erick Kimaiyo, Brigid’s coach and Kapsait Training Camp founder, said his athlete has a chance to emerge tops at the Saturday ceremony.

“I have analysed all the female candidates’ performance and I believe Brigid has a better chance of winning the global prize,” said Kimaiyo.

“If you look at her performance across the board apart from breaking the world record, she has been producing great results coupled with personal best times and course records. I just wish her all the best.”

The three-way voting process determined the finalists.

The World Athletics Council and the World Athletics Family cast their votes by email, while fans voted online via World Athletics social media platforms.

The Council’s vote counted for 50% of the results.

 

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