Kiptum Breaks Course Record To Win Men’s London Marathon As Farah Finihes Ninth
Kelvin Kiptum was just 16 seconds outside Eliud Kipchoge’s world record as the Kenyan athlete won the men’s London Marathon in a time of two hours, one minute and 25 seconds, while Mo Farah finished ninth in his final ever race at this distance. Meanwhile, debutant Sifan Hassan was a surprise winner of the women’s race. The Dutchwoman battled a hip injury to finish ahead of Alemu Megertu.
Kenya’s Kelvin Kiptum broke the course record to win the men’s London Marathon on Sunday and came incredibly close to breaking the world record, while Mo Farah finished ninth in his final race at this distance.
Kiptum crossed the line in two hours, one minute and 25 seconds to smash Eliud Kipchoge’s time in London. The 23-year-old was just 16 seconds outside Kipchoge’s world record, set in Berlin last year.
The 23-year-old was one minute and 12 seconds quicker than Kipchoge’s previous course record as he raced clear of second-placed compatriot Geoffrey Kamworor by almost three minutes. Ethiopia’s Tamirat Tola was third.
Four-time Olympic champion Farah made a promising start but was eventually surpassed by fellow Brits Emile Cairess and Phil Sesemann, completing the course in 2:10.28.
The 40-year-old – who had to pull out of 2022’s London Marathon with a hip injury – revealed after the race that he would finish his career at the Great North Run in September.
Emile Cairess was the fastest athlete from Great Britain, finishing in sixth, recording the third-fastest time by a Brit on his London Marathon debut.
Meanwhile, debutant Sifan Hassan was a surprise winner of the women’s race.
The Dutch Olympic track champion shrugged off a hip injury around the 15-mile mark but remarkably – given she was 28 seconds behind the pacesetters at 25km -she reeled in the leaders with three miles remaining.
She produced a sprint finish to win in two hours 18 minutes and 33 seconds.
Ethiopia’s Alemu Megertu was second in two hours, 18 minutes and 37 seconds, while Kenya’s Peres Jepchirchir was third.
“I never thought I would finish the marathon and win. I can’t believe it. I was going to stop at 25km,” said Hassan.
“When I woke up this morning I was telling myself I was stupid to run a marathon, and what is wrong with me. I was so scared, I even cried. I talked to my manager and asked him: ‘why am I doing this?’”
Switzerland’s Marcel Hug won a fifth men’s wheelchair race in London, just six days after winning the Boston Marathon. GB’s David Weir finished fifth in a time of 1:32.44.
Australia’s Madison de Rozario pipped four-time champion Manuela Schar on the finish line to claim the women’s wheelchair race.
