Brigid Kosgei runs her third fastest time to obliterate Shanghai record
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Reading Time: 2min | Mon. 01.12.25. | 09:31
The 31-year-old contesting her third major marathon of the year, produced the third-fastest performance of her career and dominated the race from start to finish.
Former world record-holder Brigid Kosgei stormed to the fastest marathon ever run on Chinese soil, winning the Shanghai Marathon on Sunday (30) in a superb 2:16:36 at the World Athletics Platinum Label event.
The 31-year-old contesting her third major marathon of the year, produced the third-fastest performance of her career and dominated the race from start to finish.
She became only the second woman ever to win in Shanghai, finishing more than two minutes ahead of compatriot Irine Cheptai, who clocked a season’s best 2:18:51. Ethiopia’s Tiruye Mesfin placed third in 2:20:38.
Kosgei set a relentless pace early, leading a group that included Cheptai and Ethiopia’s Mesfin and Bekelech Gudeta through 10km in 32:25.
She and Cheptai broke away before halfway, reached in under 69 minutes, but by 30km (1:37:08) Kosgei had begun to open a decisive gap.
She continued to accelerate in the latter stages, powering home to her fastest time since 2021.
The men’s race unfolded very differently, with a large lead pack of 10 athletes moving together through 10km in 29:27 before crossing halfway just outside 63 minutes.
Ethiopia’s Deresa Geleta drove the pace through 30km (1:30:14), with the pack still nine strong, including compatriots Milkesa Mengesha, Dawit Wolde, Shanghai course record-holder Philimon Kiptoo Kipchumba, and China’s Feng Peiyou.
A decisive move came approaching 35km when Geleta, Wolde and Mengesha surged clear.
Geleta faded slightly in the final kilometres, leaving Mengesha and Wolde to duel for the win.
In the final straight, Mengesha produced the strongest finish, crossing the line in 2:06:25, two seconds ahead of Wolde.
Geleta held on for third in 2:06:36, completing an Ethiopian podium sweep.
Leading results
Women
Brigid Kosgei (KEN) – 2:16:36
Irine Cheptai (KEN) – 2:18:51
Tiruye Mesfin (ETH) – 2:20:38
Men
Milkesa Mengesha (ETH) – 2:06:25
Dawit Wolde (ETH) – 2:06:27
Deresa Geleta (ETH) – 2:06:36
Source: World Athletics
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