Happy Mary Keitany heaps praise on London Marathon winners
PHOTO | LEON NEAL Second place Florence Kiplagat of Kenya (left), first place Edna Kiplagat (centre) and third place Tirunesh Dibada of Ethiopia (right) pose for photographs after completing the women's race in the 2014 London Marathon on The Mall in central London on April 13, 2014.
What you need to know:
- Reigning double World Marathon champion Edna Kiplagat finally had her day in the sun having finished second in the last two editions as she won this year’s race in 2hr, 20:19min, beating Florence Kiplagat to second place in 2:20:22.
- Wilson Kipsang, who is the World Record holder (2:03:23), reclaimed the title he won last in 2012 in a course record performance of 2:04:27.
- Former World Marathon champion Abel Kirui said the performance by Kenyans should continue at the 2015 World Championships and the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Olympics.
Two-time London Marathon champion Mary Keitany has described the performance by Kenyans at the London Marathon as “a show made in Elgeyo Marakwet.”
“It was a brilliant show made in Elgeyo Marakwet,” said Keitany.
Reigning double World Marathon champion Edna Kiplagat finally had her day in the sun having finished second in the last two editions as she won this year’s race in 2hr, 20:19min, beating Florence Kiplagat to second place in 2:20:22.
The feat saw the Kenyans claim their fifth consecutive London Marathon titles after Keitany won in 2011 and 2012 and Priscah Jeptoo in 2013.
Wilson Kipsang, who is the World Record holder (2:03:23), reclaimed the title he won last in 2012 in a course record performance of 2:04:27.
BETTERED COURSE RECORD
He bettered the previous Course Record of Emmanuel Mutai in 2011 by 15 seconds. Stanley Biwott was second in 2:04:55 as defending champion Tesfaye Kebede wound up third in 2:06:30.
Keitany who lives 600m from Florence Kiplagat's home, added. “I am so happy for them. I was Edna Kiplagat’s best maid during her wedding while Kipsang is my uncle.”
“Kipsang could have easily improved his world record but he slowed down to control the race.”
Keitany, who holds the national record of 2:18:37 with victory at the 2012 London, said Florence’s kick could have faded in the last 200m after her World Half Marathon record (1:05:12) exploits in Barcelona two months ago.
And former World Marathon champion Abel Kirui said the performance by Kenyans should continue at the 2015 World Championships and the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Olympics.
“I just want this show to continue at the Worlds and Olympics,” said a jubilant Kirui.
