London 2005 was to be a Paula Radcliffe display of supremacy, when she powered to the front as early on as the first 10Km and was never in danger, despite stomach complaints.
The Men’s race saw the emergence of Martin Lel of Kenya, as a marathon talent of importance when he edged away from World 2003 Champion, Jaouad Gharib of Morocco and New York 2004 winner, Hendrik Ramaala of South Africa. The victory was decisive and the manner was controlled. Pre-race favourite, World Record holder Paul Tergat [Kenya], was well back in with 2:11:38.
Radcliffe’s intent was evident from as 5km when she powered through in 15:47 the following 5K brought her to 10K in 32:17 and she was a sole figure as she powered towards a halfway split of 68:27 well clear of her pursuers, with Romania’s Constantina Tomescu-Dita moving into 2nd place to lead the charge for 2nd spot. Dita would record a Personal Best and new National Record of 2:22:50 which was a full 5 minutes behind Radcliffe.
Radcliffe was troubled by a persistent stomach complaint. See Paula’s pit stop by Women’s Editor Cassandra Davis. However no athlete was anywhere near the dominant Brit, as she went on to set a new World Record in a Women only event and good enough for the 3rd fastest time ever, with all three times belonging to the British athlete.
Despite Lel’s win in New York 2003, his marathon best of
2:10:02 was not considered a threat to the awesome ability of countrymen Tergat and Evans Rutto, winner in 2004. Lel’s credentials over the half distance are formidable and now he is able to move into the ranks of a force in the full distance. His winning time of 2:07:26 can be improved upon however his decisive move to the front would take a great deal to improve on, such was the power of his strike for home.
At 22 miles the lead pack still consisted of Tergat, as well as Sammy Korir, 2nd in 2004, Rutto, Morocco’s Gharib and Ramaala with Lel being the least fancied of the bunch. When Lel hit the accelerator, it was evident that there could be only one victor as the main protagonists challenge began to fade.
Gharib’s 2nd place signals his return to form in the year when the World Championship crown is up for grabs in Helsinki. Ramaala continued with his fine performance over the distance by recording a PB of 2:08:32, a time which those in the know believe another minute can be chipped off. Let’s see what his new found confidence over the distance will herald.
Former winner Abdelkader El Mouaziz of Morocco was fourth (2:09:03), ahead of Italy’s 2004 Olympic champion Stefano Baldini (2:09:25), while Britain’s Jon Brown improved his personal best in sixth (2:09:31). Tergat faded to eighth, while Rutto’s unbeaten record came to an end in 10th.
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