Kipsang sets London Marathon record

Records his second London win after 2012 victory.

LONDON: World record-holder Wilson Kipsang won the men’s London Marathon in a course record two hours, four minutes and 29 seconds on Sunday as Britain’s Mo Farah found life tough on his debut over the distance.

Kipsang smashed the previous London record of 2:04:40, set by fellow Kenyan Emmanuel Mutai in 2011.

It was a second London victory for Kipsang, the 2012 champion, who outpaced compatriot Stanley Biwatt into second position.

Tsegaye Kebede of Ethiopia, last year’s winner was third, and Ayele Abshero of Ethiopia was fourth.



Farah, the reigning Olympic and world 5,000 and 10,000 metres’ champion, finished in eighth place having failed to break Steve Jones’s British record of 2:07:13, which has stood since 1985.

“I will be back,” said Farah.

“I’m not going to finish it like this. I’m disappointed I didn’t go out there and give what the crowd deserved.”

Meanwhile, two-times reigning women’s world champion Edna Kiplagat won in 2:20:21 in with Florence Kiplagat three seconds further back in second place.

After breaking away from the field, the pair remained close together until the final bend, when Edna Kiplagat finally surged ahead.

Florence Kiplagat could not respond and Edna Kiplagat broke the finishing tape several yards in front.

Ethiopia’s Tirunesh Dibaba, the Olympic and world 10,000 metres champion, marked her marathon debut by finishing in third place.

Published in The Express Tribune, April 14^th, 2014.

Like Sports on Facebook, follow @ETribuneSports on Twitter to stay informed and join in the conversation.