LONDON – Reigning Olympic champion Peres Jepchirchir crushed the women-only world record in winning the London Marathon on April 21, while Kenyan compatriot Alexander Mutiso Munyao pulled away from Ethiopian distance great Kenenisa Bekele to win the men’s race.
The 30-year-old Jepchirchir crossed the finishing line in front of Buckingham Palace in 2hr 16min 16sec to break Mary Keitany's mark of 2:17:01 set in a women-only race at the 2017 London event.
Jepchirchir pulled away from a group of four in a sprint finish before collapsing to her knees in tears, having beaten the fastest field of women ever assembled.
Tigst Assefa of Ethiopia, who clocked 2:11:53 at the Berlin Marathon last September to set a world record for women in a race alongside male runners, crossed second in the women's race in 2:16:23.
Joyciline Jepkosgei of Kenya, the 2021 London winner, was third in 2:16:24. “I thought the race would be fast and that the record would go, but I was not expecting it to be me,” she said.
“It’s because I believe in myself. As I crossed the finish line, I thought about how grateful I am for this to be my last event representing Kenya before I head to Paris (Olympics). I now know I have a great chance to defend my title in Paris.”
Munyao, 27, who was pushed by Bekele until the final two kilometres, won the men's race in 2:04:01, pumping his fist several times, en route to the biggest victory of his career.
“I’m happy for winning the race today and at 40km I got some pressure from Kenenisa Bekele but I had a lot of confidence because I trained for this race,” Munyao said. “So I said: Let me be confident.
“After 40km, I thought I had energy enough to win today’s marathon.”
He was hoping the victory would be enough to earn him a spot on Kenya’s powerhouse Paris Games team for the marathon in August.
“I think I am capable to run in Olympics,” he said.
The 41-year-old Bekele – who has raced to three Olympic titles on the track and a remarkable 17 world titles in outdoor and indoor track and cross-country – was second in 2:04:15.
Emile Cairess came third in 2:06:46, all but clinching his spot on Britain’s Olympic team.
“It pretty much means I am selected, I am in the team.” he said. “It was a risk (to race) but it paid off.”
He dedicated his race to his cousin, who survived a serious car crash recently.
“It was a really tough time,” the 26-year-old said. “I was emotional this morning.
“I am so proud to do this for him today. It’s not all about the time and the performance.”
Thirty seconds of applause marked the start of the men’s race in memory of world-record holder and the 2023 winner Kelvin Kiptum, who died in a car accident in February, at the age of 24.
Asked about Kiptum, Munyao said: “I think about him and let him rest in peace. He came here in London and he won. Let him rest in peace.”
Over 50,000 runners took part in the 42.195km race that snaked along the River Thames on a breezy, 10 deg C day, making this the largest-ever London Marathon.
REUTERS
