These stars made a mark in 2022 and one can only hope that they can continue with their good record in 2023.
Teamkenya.co.ke has compiled a list of some of these stars.
Ruth Chepngetich
Ngong-based runner Ruth Chepngetich registered the fastest time in the marathon in 2022.
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The 28-year-old road race runner clocked 02:14.18 to win the Bank of America New York City Marathon title on Sunday, October 9, 2022.
She missed the current world record of 02:14.04 set by fellow countrywoman Brigid Kosgei by just 14 seconds.
The 2019 world champion ran the bigger part of the race on her own, and even the time she registered was better than that of some male runners.
Amane Beriso Shankule
Ethiopia’s Amane Beriso shocked the athletics world in 2022 when she outpaced a star-studded field to win the Valencia Marathon title on Sunday, December 4.
She clocked 02:14. 58 to win the title ahead of compatriot Letesenbet Gidey and Kenya’s Sheila Chepkirui.
Gidey, who was making her full marathon debut, and Chepkirui registered a time of 2:16.49 and 2:17.29 respectively.
Tigist Assefa
On September 25, 2022, Ethiopia’s athlete Tigist Assefa clocked 2:15.37 to win the BMW Berlin marathon title.
The 26-year-old runner defied all the odds to break the 3-year-old course record and in the process earn herself a page in the history books of the Berlin Marathon.
In the streets of the famous city, Assefa improved her personal best by 19 minutes - no athlete in recent times has ever achieved that incredible feat.
Brigid Kosgei
Despite only featuring in a few races, the reigning world record holder Brigid Kosgei managed to squeeze herself into the top 5 female marathoners of 2022.
Kosgei, who sharpens her skills at the famed Kapsait training camp, clocked 2:16.02 on Sunday, March 6 to successfully defend her Tokyo Marathon title.
Her monstrous display in Japan earned the mother of adorable twins a place in the top 5 fastest female marathoners this year.
Letensebet Gidey
Although she made her marathon debut in 2022, Gidey ran the fastest debut in the rich history of female marathon running.
Gidey, who holds three world records (5,000m, 10,000m, and Half Marathon) clocked 2:16.49 to settle for a second-place finish at the Valencia marathon staged on Sunday, December 4.
Based on her performance in Valencia, the unique athlete heads into 2023 as one of the favorites to eventually lower Brigid Kosgei’s world record.
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