Brigid Kosgei, former marathon world record holder and silver medalist in the marathon at the 2021 Olympic Games, will be wearing bib number F1 as she lines up as the top favorite at this year’s Haspa Marathon Hamburg on Sunday, April 27.
The 31-year-old Kenyan shattered the long-standing world record of Britain’s Paula Radcliffe (2:15:25) at the 2019 Chicago Marathon, clocking an incredible 2:14:04. Kosgei became the first woman in history to break the 2:15 barrier—a personal best that still stands today and remained the world record for nearly four years.
While she hasn’t matched that record since 2019, Kosgei has consistently delivered world-class performances, finishing under 2:20:00 in every major marathon she’s competed in since. The 2025 Haspa Marathon Hamburg marks her official comeback to racing after a year-long competitive break. Most recently, she placed fifth at the 2024 London Marathon with a time of 2:19:02.
No female athlete with such a fast personal best has ever competed in a marathon in the German-speaking world. Kosgei’s exceptional status in the sport is underscored by her victories at some of the most prestigious races in the world, including London (2019, 2020), Tokyo (2022), and Chicago (2018).
Brigid Kosgei grew up in Kenya’s Rift Valley region alongside six siblings. Like many of her compatriots, her journey to greatness began early—often running to school as a child. She now lives in Eldoret, Kenya, with her husband and their twin children.
