© Copyright – 2019 – Athletics Illustrated
Eliud Kipchoge won the 2019 Virgin Money London Marathon in a new course record time of 2:02:37 and the second-fastest marathon all-time, to his own 2:01:39 from Berlin 2018.
Kipchoge ran a 4:26 25th mile to break Ethiopians Mosinet Geremew, and Mule Wasihun, to win his 10th consecutive major marathon – a record in itself.
In so doing, he improved on his very own 2017 course record by 28 seconds. Geremew finished in 2:02:55, which is the third fastest marathon time in history. Wasihun finished third in 2:03:16.
Londoner, Mo Farah lost contact with the lead runners at 20K – he went out too hard – but finished in the time of 2:05:39. He ran most of the race in sub-2:04 pace.
Wilson Kipsang, previous world record holder (2:03:13) at age 37 finished in the time of 2:09:18 – not the performance that he was looking for.
In fourth place was Tola Shura Kitata in the time of 2:05:01, which represents a new personal best for the 22-year-old Ethiopian. A Kenyan won, but Ethiopians went, 1-2-3 and 5.
The leaders – a pack of six – went through half-way in 61:37.
Women
Brigid Kosgei wins the women’s race in 2:18:20. She went through half-way in the time of 71:38 for a big negative split. Vivian Cheruiyot finished second in 2:20:14 – both are Kenyan.
Roza Dereje of Ethiopia broke the 1-2-3 Kenyan train by finishing ahead of Gladys Cherono. They crossed the finish line in 2:20:51 and 2:20:52 respectively. Mary Keitany, a pre-race favourite finished fifth in 2:20:58 for another strong performance.
The first non-East African was Emily Sisson of the USA, negative –splitting a 2:23:08 debut performance. Kenya went 1-2 and 4-5. Sisson ran a first split of 71:49 and a second-half in 71:19.
