Tigst Assefa Shatters Brigid Kosgei’s Women’s Marathon World Record, Wins 2023 Berlin Marathon

• There's a new world record holder in the women's marathons
• Ethiopia's Tigst Assefa defended her Berlin Marathon title and broke the women's marathon world record
• She clocked 2:11.52 to obliterate Brigid Kosgei's world record she set in 2019

Ethiopia's Tigst Assefa produced a spectacular performance at the 49th edition of the Berlin marathon to break Brigid Kosgei's women's marathon world record.

Assefa also stormed to her second Berlin Marathon title in 2:11.53 to break the 16-year world record.

Kosgei broke the women's marathon world record in 2019, breaking Paula Radcliffe's record set in the 2003 London marathon. The Kenyan Olympic silver medalist clocked 2:14.04 in the 2019 Chicago Marathon, per the New York Times.

Kosgei beat Radcliffe's record by 1 minute and 21 seconds. The Ethiopian dominated the women's race, and it was her against the clock for most of the race.

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Assefa has now obliterated Kosgei's world record by over two minutes. The Ethiopian also won last year's Berlin Marathon.

Kenya's Sheila Chepkirui finished second in 2:17.49, while Tanzania's Magdalena Shauri came in third in 2:18.41.

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Kosgei's record stood for nearly four years, but Ethiopia has now wrestled the women's world record from Kenya. Eliud Kipchoge still holds the men's marathon world record. he crossed the line minutes before Assefa obliterated the world record.

Amane Beriso Shankule was Ethiopia's fastest female marathon runner. She had a national record of 2:14.58, set at the Valencia Marathon in Spain in December 2022.

There are now four Ethiopians in the top 10 of the fastest women in the marathon. Kenya has five, while the other spot is held by former world record holder Paula Radcliffe, per World Athletics.

Kipchoge wins 5th Berlin Marathon

Sports Brief earlier reported on Eliud Kipchoge winning his fifth Berlin marathon title.

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Kipchoge entered the race, having set the world record in last year's event. The double Olympic champion clocked 2:02.42 to win the race.

The Kenyan veteran has now won 16 of the 19 marathons he has taken part in.