Kenyan athlete Brigid Kosgei showcased her unparalleled prowess in the Lisbon Half Marathon, claiming a resounding victory on Sunday. Remaining true to her pledge of triumph, Kosgei delivered a standout performance, leaving her competitors trailing in her wake. While she narrowly missed breaking the course record, her clocking of 1:05:51 secured her a significant lead, with over three minutes ahead of her nearest rival.
Seizing control after the halfway point, Kosgei surged ahead, leaving her adversaries struggling to match her pace. Despite falling short of her personal best, Kosgei’s dominance remained unchallenged, with Ethiopian Bosena Mulatie securing second place with a timing of 1:09:00, followed by Tigist Mengistu in third with 1:09:14. Kenya’s Betty Chepkemoi clinched fourth place with a timing of 1:09:35.
In the men’s race, Ethiopian Dinkalem Ayele emerged victorious, narrowly edging out Kenya’s Dominic Chemut with a timing of 1:00:36, a mere four seconds ahead of Chemut’s 1:00:40.
With her previous triumph in the 2016 Lisbon Marathon, Kosgei’s familiarity with the Portuguese capital only bolstered her confidence. With her sights set on the upcoming London Marathon on April 21, Kosgei’s stellar performance in Lisbon sets the stage for an exhilarating showdown in London.
As a two-time London Marathon champion, Kosgei’s return to the English capital for her fifth appearance signals her determination to improve upon her fourth-place finish in 2021. Her commanding presence in Lisbon suggests that she is in peak condition, promising an enthralling contest in April.
