Ethiopia’s Tigst Assefa set a new women’s only world record of two hours 15 minutes and 50 seconds as she triumphed in the London Marathon on Sunday, while Kenya’s Sebastien Sawe outpaced a star-studded men’s field.
For 28-year-old Assefa, the victory served as fitting redemption after finishing runner-up in both London and the Paris Olympics last year — made sweeter by the fact that Dutch rival, Ethiopia-born Sifan Hassan, finished third.
Assefa pulled away from Kenya’s Joyciline Jepkosgei as the race entered its decisive stages, unfolding under blazing sunshine and with thousands of spectators along the route.
She crossed the finish line nearly three minutes ahead of the Kenyan, while Hassan, who had beaten her in a tense finish at the Olympic race last year, trailed well behind in third place.
“I was second last year so to win here this year is very special,” she told the BBC speaking through an interpreter.
“Last year I had trouble with the cold weather and my hamstring tightened up.
“This year suited me much more and found it a lot easier.”
Sawe made the decisive break at a drinks station as they reached the 90-minute mark and he gave Kenya their fourth successive win in the men’s race timing two hours, two minutes and 27 seconds.
The 29-year-old, who won the Valencia marathon last December, came home alone ahead of Uganda’s world half marathon record holder Jacob Kiplimo.
The defending champion, Alexander Mutiso Munyao, edged Abdi Nageeye for third in a photo finish while four-time champion, Eliud Kipchoge, finished sixth.
Britain’s Olympic triathlon champion Alex Yee finished a highly creditable 14th on his debut.
“I am very happy to have won a major marathon,” said Sawe, who won the Valencia marathon last December.
“I was well prepared for this, that is why I was so relaxed and confident.
“Now this gives me hope that further success in marathons will come.”
There was a Swiss double in the wheelchair category — Marcel Hug and Olympic champion Catherine Debrunner winning the men and women’s titles respectively.
For Hug, 39, it was his seventh London crown and fifth successive victory. For 30-year-old Debrunner it represented her second consecutive win and third overall.
‘She Was Perfect’
The event also highlighted countless personal stories, with many participants running to honor loved ones or support charities.
The London Marathon remains the world’s largest single-day fundraising event, raising over £1.3 billion ($1.72 billion) for charity since its inception in 1981.
The fathers of Alice da Silva, 9, and Elsie Dot Stancombe, 7, two of the three young girls murdered last July in Southport, northern England, took part in memory of their daughters.
They received a video message from the United Kingdom’s Prime Minister, Keir Starmer.
“Elsie was my best friend, she was perfect, it’s like therapy, it’s more than just a race,” said David Stancombe, who watched the race with her last year, whilst Alice’s dad Sergio Aguiar said, “I wanted to do something for her.”
Isla, the 18-year-old daughter of three-time London victor Paula Radcliffe, made her debut running for Children with Cancer UK. She was diagnosed with cancer aged 13.
The 45th edition of the race was aiming to break a record and become the marathon with the most competitors.
There were expected to be more than 56,000 people taking part this year, from the elite field through to those in fancy dress including Sarah Louise Haddock appropriately dressed as a fish.
The record number of finishers is 55,646 finishers at last year’s New York Marathon. This month’s Paris Marathon also had 56,950 starters but fewer finishers. (AFP)
What you should know
Tigst Assefa and Sebastien Sawe claimed dominant victories at the 45th London Marathon, setting records and inspiring thousands as the race celebrated not only athletic excellence but also powerful personal journeys.
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