The world record holder Wilson Kipsang of Kenya, was in devastating form on Sunday, 13th April, 2014, when he showed his prowess over the London Marathon course.
Kipsang, showing signs as always of being control, moved away with confidence from compatriot, Stanley Biwott over the final mile to win in a new course record of 2:04:29. This was a powerful display of class marathon running from Kipsang, accelerating with force and power when he needed to over the 2nd half of the course.
On the Women’s side, Edna Kiplagat also of Kenya; came good, finally winning after finishing 2nd in 2012 and 2013. Just rewards for the East African, who only moved clear of Florence Kiplagat over the last 600m to go onto a most satisfying win in a time of 2:20:21.
Third amongst the women was debutante, Tirunesh Dibaba of Ethiopia, in a time of 2:20:35. The highly decorated track athlete made the mistake of stopping to pick up her water bottle at the water-table. This slip-up would cost her dearly, as the Kenyans worked in tandem to drop what was considered to be their most threatening competition. The 14 seconds in arrears at the end was to be the gap achieved from the water table problems.
The other major debutant was Mo Farah of the UK. Farah, who is coached by a previous formidable marathoner in the form of Alberto Salazar, made the wrong judgement call in not going with the early pace and finished in an English record of 2:08:21, somewhat off his desired target of Steve Jones UK record of 2:07:13. This will undoubtedly be a lesson learned by World and Olympic double champion over 5000 and 10000m on the track.
This will not be the last we hear from the man over the marathon distance, and considering that Kenenisa Bekele winning Paris Marathon the week before, marathon can look forward to a feast of rivalry over the forthcoming years.
Bring it on
Author: Gavin Doyle
