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Brigid Kosgei runs third fastest women’s marathon in Chicago history

Kosgei is a 24-year-old from Kenya who broke the field relatively early on to take a very decisive win in 2:18:35

Brigid Kosgei won the women’s race at the 2018 Bank of Chicago Marathon on Sunday morning. Kosgei is a 24-year-old from Kenya who broke the field relatively early on to take a very decisive win in 2:18:35. This is a huge personal best for Kosgei, improving on her old time by nearly two minutes. 

The conditions were not ideal for Kosgei, between the rain and running alone for the last few miles of the race, her 2:18 becomes even more impressive. She ran the third fastest marathon ever run at Chicago. 

RELATED: Mo Farah wins Bank of America Chicago Marathon in European record

Second place went to Roza Dereje of Ethiopia in 2:21:18 who is coming off of setting a new course record in Dubai earlier this year. Third place went to Shure Demise also of Ethiopia in 2:22:15 who’s a former Scotiabank Toronto Waterfront Marathon winner, and was fourth at Tokyo earlier this year. 

Canadian Melanie Myrand ran a huge personal best of 2:34:08 on her birthday to place 9th in Chicago. 

Melanie Myrand
Photo: Tim Huebsch.

Sarah Crouch was the first American across the line in 2:32:37 finishing sixth. Crouch told NBC post-race that, “I’m shocked. It’s a dream come true.” Crouch trains with her sisters, she comes from a family of elite female athletes. Gwen Jorgensen finished 11th in 2:36:23 in her official debut marathon. American Alexis Pappas, who also ran her marathon debut Sunday morning, finished in 28th in 2:43:38.

In the women’s wheelchair race, world record holder Manuela Schar won decisively in 1:41:38. 

Complete Canadian results to follow.

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