This archive report was first published on 19 November 2019.
Brigid Kosgei, a 25-year-old Kenyan runner, has had a successful year, with several notable achievements in the world of athletics. On November 19, 2019, it was reported that she was in line to win the world athlete of the year (women) title at a gala in Monaco on Saturday night.
Since running her first major marathon four years ago, Kosgei's career has been on an upward trajectory. She has won several notable races, including the Chicago marathon, the London marathon, and the Great North Run.
At the Chicago marathon, Kosgei set a blistering pace to break Paula Radcliffe's previous record of 2:15:25. She also won the Houston Half Marathon in a course record of 1:05:50 and the Zallaq Half Marathon in Bahrain with a half marathon personal best of 1:05:28.
Her impressive performance has earned her a spot among the finalists for the world athlete of the year (women) title, alongside Delilah Mohammed of America, Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce of Jamaica, Yulimar Andrea Rojas Rodríguez of Venezuela, and Sifan Hassan of the Netherlands.
According to her coach, Erick Kimaiyo, Kosgei has a good chance of emerging tops at the Saturday ceremony. 'I have analysed all the female candidates' performance and I believe Brigid has a better chance of winning the global prize,' Kimaiyo said.
The three-way voting process determined the finalists, with the World Athletics Council and the World Athletics Family casting their votes by email, while fans voted online via World Athletics social media platforms.
