Former women’s World Marathon record holder Brigid Kosgei has been added to the elite field for the Hamburg Marathon set for April 27, raising the stakes for a potentially historic race on the streets of the German city.
Organisers announced Kosgei's addition on Tuesday, citing optimism that Kosgei’s inclusion will inject pace and pedigree into the women's contest, with the 31-year-old set to lead the charge.
“With regard to the fastest men and women on the start list, this is the best field ever assembled in the history of the Haspa Marathon Hamburg. We are looking forward to some thrilling and fast racing,“ said chief organiser Frank Thaleiser.
The course records—2:04:47 for men by Kenya’s Cyprian Kotut and 2:17:23 for women by Ethiopia’s Yalemzerf Yehualaw, both set in 2022—could come under serious threat.
Kosgei, a proven performer over the classic 42km distance, arrives in Hamburg with a glittering resume.
In 2019, she stunned the world at the Chicago Marathon, clocking 2:14:04 to obliterate the long-standing women's record set by Britain’s Paula Radcliffe in London in 2003.
That run saw her finish well ahead of Ethiopia’s Ababel Yeshaneh (2:20:51) and Gelete Burka (2:20:55).
It was a fitting follow-up to her 2018 victory in the Windy City (Chicago), where she claimed her maiden crown in 2:18:35, leading Ethiopians Roza Dereje (2:21:18) and Shure Demise (2:22:15). Her Chicago debut in 2017 had seen her finish second in 2:20:22 behind Ethiopia’s Tirunesh Dibaba (2:18:30).
At the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games, Kosgei further cemented her name as one of the greatest female marathoners after clinching silver in 2:27:36 just behind compatriot Peres Jepchirchir (2:27:20).
Kosgei is also a double champion in London. She lifted the 2019 title in 2:18:20 ahead of compatriot Vivian Cheruiyot (2:20:14) and Ethiopia’s Roza Dereje (2:20:51).
The 31-year-old then defended it in 2020 with a 2:18:58 finish, holding off USA’s Sara Hall (2:22:01) and Ruth Chepng'etich (2:22:05)—now the current world record holder.
Her London debut in 2018 also ended on the podium with a runner-up finish in 2:20:13 behind compatriot Cheruiyot (2:18:31).
Beyond the World Marathon Majors, Kosgei holds victories in Tokyo 2022 (2:16:02) and Abu Dhabi 2023 (2:19:15).
Kosgei will be hoping to bounce back stronger after she pulled out of the Olympic marathon team following an injury last year.
Her only marathon appearance last year was in London, where she missed out on the podium, clocking 2:29:02 for fifth place.
In Hamburg, she is set for an intense showdown with Ethiopia’s Roza Dereje, the 2019 Valencia Marathon champion, among other elite contenders.
On the men’s side, 2022 London Marathon champion Amos Kipruto will lead a formidable Kenyan squad that includes 2023 Amsterdam Marathon runner-up Bethwel Chumba, last year’s Hamburg podium finisher Philemon Kiplimo, as well as Cyrus Mutai, Erick Sang and Felix Kibitok.
The Kenyan charge will lock horns with a strong Ethiopian team headlined by 2014 World Half Marathon bronze medallist Guye Adola.
