World marathon record holders Eliud Kipchoge and Brigid Kosgei are the winners of the 2019 Abbot World Marathon Major titles.
Kipchoge, who recently became the first human to break the sub-two-hour barrier at the Ineos Challenge in Vienna last month where he clocked 1:59:40, was awarded the title after breaking the world marathon record in Berlin last year when he posted 2:01:39.
The reigning Olympic champion’s time of 2:02:37 at the 2019 Virgin Money London Marathon is the third-fastest time on record, bettered only by his own world record and the 2:01:41 run by Kenenisa Bekele at the 2019 Berlin Marathon.
Of the 13 marathons he has run, Kipchoge’s only loss came in Berlin Marathon in 2013 when he finished second behind compatriot Wilson Kipsang. It is Kipchoge's fourth Abbot marathon major titles to go with his previous triumphs of 2015/16 2016/17 and 2017/18.
In the women's category, world marathon record holder, Brigid Kosgei went home with the coveted award following her marathon wins in London and Chicago in the last two seasons.
At the 2018 Chicago marathon Kosgei clocked 2:18:35. Last month at the same event, she set a new world record when she posted 2:14:04, breaking the previous record held by Paula Radcliffe set at the 2003 London Marathon, by 81 seconds.
She followed that up with a personal best 2:18:20 in London to become the youngest woman to win the event. 2019 also saw her win the prestigious Peachtree 10km road race in the United States before setting a new world best in the Great North Run half marathon in the UK of 1:04:28.
Since transitioning to the marathon distance in 2015, Kosgei has finished first or second in all but one of her ten 26.2-mile races. Kosgei joins the illustrious company of previous winners of the ward who include four-time champion New York marathon champion, Mary Keitany, Edna Kiplagat and Prisca Jeptoo.
