This archive report was first published on 4 July 2019.
On a hot summer day in Atlanta, USA, Kenyan athletes Rhonex Kipruto and Brigid Kosgei made history by breaking course records at the 50th AJC Peachtree Road Race on July 4, 2019.
World Under-20 10,000m champion Rhonex Kipruto, who trains in Iten, Kenya, broke the course record with a time of 27:01, surpassing the previous record held by Joseph Kimani for 23 years.
Interestingly, Kipruto was running alongside his brother Bravin Kiptoo, a Form four student at Kombatich High School in Elgeyo Marakwet, who finished second with a time of 27:29. Kennedy Kimutai took third place with a time of 27:54.
Speaking to Nation Sport, Kipruto expressed his happiness at clinching the title and breaking the course record, attributing his success to good preparations and hard work.
“I’m happy to have clinched the title and also broken the course record. The race was tough but I had done good preparations and that is what saved me from stiff competition including my younger brother whom has been doing well,” Kipruto said.
Brigid Kosgei, the London Marathon champion, also proved to be the queen of the road, edging out World 10,000m bronze medallist Agnes Tirop at the finish line and breaking the course record with a time of 30:22.
London Marathon champion Brigid Kosgei proved to be the queen of the road edging out the World 10,000m bronze medallist Agnes Tirop at the finish line breaking the course record after clocking 30:22.
Lorna Kiplagat, the previous course record holder, congratulated Kosgei on her achievement, saying, “Congratulations! It took 17 years but my record is finally broken at #PeachtreeRoadRace! Hats off for Brigid Kosgei. Shaving off 10 seconds of my record, winning in 30:22.”
