Kenya’s Kelvin Kiptum won the men’s London Marathon while also registering a new course record. Kiptum broke his compatriot, Eliud Kipchoge’s course record finishing in two hours one minute and twenty five seconds(2:01:25).
The 23 year old was only sixteen seconds shy of breaking Kipchoge’s World Record. He also ran the second fastest marathon which makes it his personal best so far.
Sifan Hassan, who runs for the Netherlands had trouble after about twenty kilometres of the race in what was later explained as a hip injury but nonetheless, she came back from the back and took the lead eventually winning the women’s 2023 London Marathon.
“Winning @londonmarathon is really amazing. London is my favorite marathon not even to run but to watch and I finished it and I won, I can’t even believe it. Every single kilometer I felt so grateful.” This is what she posted on her social media pages immediately after winning the race.
This was her first shot at the Marathon title and she was understandably elated by the victory. Speaking to the BBC after the race, she noted, “I had a problem with my hip, which made me stop. But it started to feel a little bit better.”
She said she didn’t anticipate to win the race after the injury scare but decided to push herself a little after she started feeling better. “”At 20km I knew that I could kick on because I didn’t feel that tired and I didn’t care how I finished, I just wanted to get there.”, remarked Hassan following her win.
The 2021 5000M and 10000M Olympic champion also noted that she missed one of the drinking spots because she had not practiced as she had been fasting. “”And then I missed one of the drinks stations. I didn’t practise that part of the race because I have been fasting [during Ramadan] and so that was quite difficult. But I needed it.”
She further noted that winning the London Marathon has been her lifelong dream, “London has been my dream,” added Hassan. “And now here I am, I was doubting that I could even finish. This is just amazing. I will never forget this in my whole life.”
Mo Farah bows out
The London Marathon has sealed one of Britain’s most iconic athlete’s career, the indefatigable Mo Farah who came ninth in the race. Speaking to the press later, Farah said thus: “London has been so great to me over the years and I wanted to be here to say thank you to the crowd and the support that was just amazing.”
“Part of me was wanting to cry. The people were amazing, even in the rain to line the streets and that’s what this is all about. It’s what has kept me going for so long throughout my career.” Farah added.
The young Kiptum had earlier registered the fastest Marathon debut in history at the Valencia Marathon back in December after clocking 2:01:53- the third-fastest time in history. The defending champion, Ethiopia’s Tamirat Tola came in at the third place.
In other news, Ethiopia’s Genzebe Dibaba, who made her Marathon debut at the Amsterdam Marathon last year did not secure a medal at the 2023 London Marathon. She came at the second place in Amsterdam behind her compatriot and fellow marathon debutee, Almaz Ayana.
Posting to her fans on her social media page after the race, Genzebe remarked thus: “My preparation for @londonmarathon was really good, I did all my trainings in a great way. Unfortunately, yesterday wasn’t my day, I learned a lot and I will take these learnings to my next marathons. Thank you all for the support, see you soon!”
Tirunesh Dibaba, who is her elder sister was racing at the Tokyo Marathon on the same day.
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