News13 Jan 2020


Kosgei to defend London Marathon title

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Brigid Kosgei wins the London Marathon (© Getty Images)


World record holder Brigid Kosgei will defend her title at the Virgin Money London Marathon, a World Athletics Platinum Label road race, on 26 April.

The 25-year-old Kenyan broke Paula Radcliffe’s 16-year-old marathon world record at the Chicago Marathon last October, clocking an incredible time of 2:14:04. The record-breaking run came six months after Kosgei won the London Marathon for the first time.

“I am very much looking forward to returning to the Virgin Money London Marathon," Kosgei said. "Last year was an incredible year for me and it started by winning in London. Coming back will be very special and I hope it can be the start of another memorable year.”

Kosgei is joined in the elite women’s field by a stellar list of rivals, four of whom have also run sub-2:19 marathons.

The list includes 2018 London Marathon winner Vivian Cheruiyot of Kenya, three-time Berlin Marathon champion Gladys Cherono of Kenya, 2019 Valencia Marathon champion Roza Dereje of Ethiopia and world champion Ruth Chepngetich, also from Kenya.

Also on the start line will be the world half marathon record holder and 2019 New York City Marathon champion Joyciline Jepkosgei who is joint top of the Abbott World Marathon Majors (AWMM) Series XIII leaderboard alongside Kosgei and Chepngetich.

The London elite men's field will be announced on Tuesday 14 January and the complete fields announced on Friday 17 January.

Organisers for World Athletics

Women's elite field

Brigid Kosgei (KEN) 2:14:04
Ruth Chepngetich (KEN) 2:17:08
Gladys Cherono (KEN) 2:18:11
Roza Dereje (ETH) 2:18:30
Vivian Cheruiyot (KEN) 2:18:31
Degitu Azimeraw (ETH) 2:19:26
Ashete Bekere (ETH) 2:20:14
Alemu Megertu (ETH) 2:21:10
Joyciline Jepkosgei (KEN) 2:22:38
Sinead Diver (AUS) 2:24:11
Carla Salome Rocha (POR) 2:24:47