Brigid Kosgei wowed fans in 2017 with a second-place finish, but she made an even bigger splash last fall when she won the race with third-fastest time in Chicago's history. 

Name: Brigid Kosgei

Country of origin: Kenya

Standout races: Kosgei has literally been unbeatable in 2019, and her dominance extends to winning the Peachtree 10K, three half marathons, a 5K and a marathon. She shattered Peachtree’s course record by 10 seconds. After the race, she said: “I was happy because I ran well. The race is not easy. It’s tough. I struggled up to my maximum, and then I won.” Kosgei has won the Honolulu Marathon twice, and finished eighth in Boston in 2:31:48. Overall, she has finished first or second in nine of her ten career marathons.

More about Brigid Kosgei: 

She began her running exploits on the grass, entering the Discovery Kenya cross country competition. Her talents were recognized early on and she transitioned to the roads in 2015. She won her first marathon in a modest 2:47:59, and then stunned her competitors at the 2016 Milan City Marathon when she set a 20-minute PR, 2:27:45, easily winning in a “gun-to-tape performance.” Since then, she has been a global force to be reckoned with.