Men’s race
Women’s race
Men’s wheelchair race
Women’s wheelchair race
The men’s race
Kebede ends Kenya’s domination
Tsegaye Kebede turned silver to gold in London this morning as the 2009 runner-up triumphed in a drizzly Virgin London Marathon, taking the men’s title in 2:05:19, just nine seconds outside the one-year-old course record.
Kebede, who has won Olympic and world bronze medals in the last two years, took his World Marathon Majors victory in some style, crossing the line with more than a minute to spare to become the first non-Kenyan winner since his fellow Ethiopian Gezahegne Abera triumphed here in 2003.
“I was second last year, so it is good to win this year,” said Kebede. “Maybe next year I could run 2:04. I thought I could get the course record but the rain made it difficult.”
World silver medallist Emmanuel Mutai of Kenya had to be satisfied with second again, in 2:06:23, with the evergreen Moroccan Jaouad Gharib third for the second year in a row in 2:06:55.
After second here last year, and a storming victory in Fukuoka last December, Kebede’s win was hardly a surprise. Indeed, the defending champion, Sammy Wanjiru said on Friday that if he didn’t retain his title, Kebede was the man to watch.
In fact, the big shock came when Wanjiru dropped out. The Olympic champion had won four of his five marathons before today and never finished lower than second. But today he was forced to pull out after 27km, around mile 17, with a right knee problem.
“I was confident about winning but you can’t predict the body,” he said. “I started to feel pain about 20km and it became very serious. I was thinking about hanging on and finishing in the top 10 but I didn’t want to make it any worse.”
Wanjiru was one of four talented Kenyans who set off in cool light rain, running the usual fast opening miles behind the three Kenyan pacemakers, John Kales, Moses Arusei and Titus Masai. They had been asked to run to 20 miles at 2:04 pace and, at first, they hit their stride perfectly, passing 5km in 14:39, with all the big names bunched behind them.
It soon became clear they weren’t sticking to the script, however, and as they slipped behind schedule through miles six and seven, Wanjiru urged the pacemakers to pick up their speed.
At this stage the hotly-tipped Eritrean Zersenay Tadese was sitting quietly in the middle of the group with Gharib and Kebede around him, but it wasn’t to be Tadese’s day either as he again struggled to make the transition from a half-marathon speedster to a full marathon to champion.
Twelve months ago the leading men went through half way in 61:35, the quickest split ever in a marathon. This time they’d planned to hit half way in 62:00 but the pacemakers had taken it easy, clocking 63:06 with no fewer than 12 on their heels.
The Kenyans were living up to their promise to run as a team with Mutai and Kirui picking up the pace through miles 14 (4:39) and 15 (4:39). As the pace lifted again, Wanjiru began to feel his pain, and Tadese, the world half marathon record holder, began to struggle.
By mile 16, the group was down to five with Kirui and Mutai leading Kebede and Gharib, followed by the surprise in the pack, Abderrahime Bouramdane. The Moroccan’s best of 2:08:20 was under significant threat.
It was Kebede and Kirui who took the lead as they went through 30km in 1:28:46 – a 10km split of 28:52. They were now running at 2:05-pace and just inside course record schedule. These two opened a gap on Mutai as they wound through the Docklands under Canary Wharf tower.
A year ago, Kebede had battled Wanjiru over the last eight miles. This time, it was Kirui who emerged as his main rival. After a swift 20th mile (4:28) Kebede made his move. Maintaining his punchy, compact style the 23-year-old kicked away from Kirui and by 35km (1:43:30) had a seven-second lead.
Now he not only had Wanjiru’s title in his sights, but his course record too. At the world championships in Berlin last year, he lost out when Kirui and Mutai took the top two spots, but this time the diminutive power-house got it right.
He ran hard through miles 22 (4:55), 23 (4:51) and 24 (4:46) building an unassailable lead as he swept down to the Embankment for the lone run to the line. The victory secured, he allowed himself to slow and enjoy the moment. Well he might, not even his great compatriot Haile Gebrselassie has managed to beat the Kenyans in London.
As he turned into the The Mall he spotted the finish line ahead of him and made a last sprint for Wanjiru’s record. It wasn’t to be, those slow early miles proving too much to overcome. He crossed the line as the third quickest ever over the London course, behind Wanjiru and Martin Lel, missing his PB by just one second.
“I had to make the pace on my own at the end,” he said. “The pacemakers were not good today, so I am happy to run 2:05 on a day like today.”
Behind him, Kirui blew up in the last mile and a half to be passed by Mutai, who improved from fourth in 2008 and 2009 to take second, with the remarkable Gharib third again.
“When Kebede pushed I was left behind,” said Mutai. “I couldn’t go with him, so I focused on getting on the podium. I have finished fourth twice, so I am very pleased to be second at last.”
As for Gharib, he had to overcome mid-race stomach problems. “I was aiming to do better,” he said. “But after the problems I had I’m happy with the result.”
Bouramdane smashed his PB to take fourth in 2:07:33, 47 seconds inside his previous best while Kirui limped home in fifth in 2:08:04.
The sad Tadese jogged home for his first marathon finish – seventh place in 2:12:03 just ahead of the first Briton, Andrew Lemoncello, who clocked 2:13:40 on an impressive debut.
Kebede made his marathon debut just three years ago. Four years ago he was helping his father sell firewood to feed him and 12 siblings in Addis Ababa. Today he earned $130,000 for his marathon efforts.
“It was a good day for him,” as the unfortunate Wanjiru said. “Kebede did a good job today. I hope to be back next year.”
The women’s race
Shobukhova is first for Russia
Liliya Shobukhova became the first Russian ever to win the women’s London Marathon this morning when she added the 2010 title to her Chicago Marathon victory from 2009.
Shobukhova produced a commanding performance to beat a field packed with talent from all over the world, including the reigning champion Irina Mikitenko, who dropped out with a shin injury after 11 miles, and Britain’s Mara Yamauchi, second last year, who fell off the pace just before half-way and finished 10th in 2:26:16, the trials of her much-publicised journey to London clearly taking its toll.
By contrast, Shobukhova, third in 2009, never looked troubled as she led the field for much of the race before pulling away from her compatriot Inga Abitova in the final mile to win in 2:22:00, a personal best by all of two minutes 24 seconds.
Abitova made it a great day for Russia as she finished second in 2:22:19, beating her PB by more than three minutes, while the world championships bronze medallist Asselefech Mergia of Ethiopia was third, another 19 seconds behind, nearly two and a half minutes inside her previous best.
After their great duel last year, much of the pre-race attention had been on Yamauchi and Mikitenko. But this was also thought to be the most competitive field for years, and many tipped Shobukhova as one to watch following her impressive win over Mikitenko in Chicago last October.
It was clear from the start that she was in good shape. As the women set off in light rain, the 32-year-old immediately showed towards the front of a large pack and remained in view for the entire length of the course.
With the temperature at 10 degrees and winds light to non-existent, the conditions were pretty good for marathon running. Indeed, in contrast to the men, who complained that the unexpected rain had slowed them down, Shobukhova described the conditions as “almost perfect”.
No fewer than 17 athletes had asked to be taken out at 2:22 pace and the experienced Hungarian Aniko Kalovics set about her pacemaking task with determination, clipping through the first couple of miles in 5:25.
Mergia, Mikitenko, and Yamauchi all showed early at the head of the large group alongside Shobukhova but after just two miles the Olympic champion, Constantina Dita, was already 100m behind the leaders, just over 20s adrift. She eventually finished 50th.
Shobukhova’s compatriot, Mariya Konovalova, was already having a difficult debut. She lay some 38s behind, while the 2006 champion, Deena Kastor, was six seconds back, a gap which grew to 33s at 10km, a point passed by the leaders in 33:17.
Mikitenko was running at the edge, seemingly to avoid bumping from opponents and splashes from the wet road. But as a large group of 15 or so strode past Cutty Sark and west towards Tower Bridge, the German began to slide back.
By mile nine it was clear the defending champion had already lost her title. She was 50 metres behind, suffering with a sore shin. She stopped and started three times before eventually dropping out at mile 11, saying afterwards, “My shin hurts now, but my head hurts more.”
At 15km (50:10) the lead group numbered 13, with Yamauchi still leading the pack behind Kalovics. The world champion Bai Xue, and world silver medallist, Yoshimi Ozaki were both in the hunt, looking comfortable.
Shobukhova made her first move as they crossed Tower Bridge and strode on towards half way. Yamauchi began to struggle, at first dropping a few metres off the back. Her epic journey to London, and last year’s foot injury, was beginning to have an effect.
She was 10-seconds behind as the leaders passed half way in 1:10:56, bang on schedule. Kalovic’s job now done, the lead group quickly shrunk to seven with Shobukhova pushing the pace alongside Mergia, followed by Bai, the Ethiopians Askale Tafa and Bezunesh Bekele, the Japanese pair Mari Ozaki and Yukiko Akaba, and Abitova, who was quietly making her presence felt.
They passed 25km in 1:24:04, and as they twisted through the Docklands it became clear the tall Russian was running with real intent, her compact style and low stride looking smooth and effficient. At 30km (1:41:08) she was still on 2:22 pace.
Gradually she whittled the group down to four, with Mergia and Bekele tracking her and Abitova. Now it was Russia versus Ethiopia.
Mergia made the first move, clocking 5:18 for mile 23 – the quickest of the race so far – as she pulled ahead of the Russian. But Shobukhova had plenty in reserve. She locked onto the Ethiopian’s heels and the two leaders ran together under the tunnel at Southwark Bridge and on towards the Embankment with Abitova in chase.
Bekele’s challenge was over, but Abitova clawed her way back in touch as the front two slowed over mile 25 (5:31).
Shobukhova was merely gathering herself for the final push. As the rain returned it was the Russian who upped the pace. She is the European record holder over 5000m and has plenty of track speed when she needs it.
She turned off the Embankment with a 30m lead and, in front of massive crowds, strode on past the Houses of Parliament, along Birdcage Walk and into The Mall to become the first Russian to win in London since Yakov Tolstikov took the men’s title in 1991 for the Soviet Union.
After finishing third here 12 months ago, Shobukhova completed a wonderful first year as a marathon runner with her second World Marathon Majors victory.
“The pace was easy,” she said. “I felt comfortable running at the front and decided to push in the second half to break up the pack. It is my third marathon and my second win. Now I want to win the Olympics.”
“My race was amazing,” said Abitova, the reigning European 10,000m champion. “I had to work really hard but I know I have good track speed and that helped me break through at the finish.”
Ethiopia filled places four and five, through Bekele and Tafa, while Britain’s favourite, Yamauchi had to accept her fate. “I just wasn’t as prepared as I was last year,” said Yamauchi, who set a best of 2:23:12 in 2009. “I think my journey to get here tired me out more than I thought.”
The men’s wheelchair race
Canada’s Cassidy celebrates first marathon title
Canadian newcomer Josh Cassidy celebrated his first marathon title when he won the Virgin London Wheelchair Marathon this morning. After months of training and competing against the world’s greatest, his victory points to a successful road racing future.
All talk in the build-up had been about Australian Kurt Fearnley and Briton David Weir. But Cassidy’s tactical performance was enough to secure their victory and prize money of $15,000.
The drizzly weather at the start hinted towards a slow race with the athletes more wary of wet conditions. Cassidy chose slower tyres than Weir, who used a new Draft racing chair built for endurance. The 25-year-old Canadian said: “The weather played a part today. I haven’t trained in rain for three months so I didn’t expect the result today, but it means so much to me”.
For the last few weeks, Cassidy, a graphic designer, has been training with Weir in London. Weir rated him as a rival, saying he was in good form, but at 5km the British racer was leading the pack of seven men. Fearnley, the reigning champion, was already 22 seconds behind. At 10km, Weir and the Japanese, Kota Hokinoue, moved ahead slightly, with Fearnley lagging three minutes behind the pack.
By Tower Bridge Weir had a comfortable lead with Cassidy a minute behind. The Briton has four London titles on his belt and now looked odds on to claim a fifth.
But it all changed when he reached the Embankment, with the finish line virtually in sight. Weir had suffered a puncture to his front tyre at 15 miles, so when he got another on his back wheel at 20 miles, he knew the title was over. Cassidy passed Weir and went on to claim victory in 1:35:21.
Switzerland’s Marcel Hug took second in 1:36:06 on his first London Marathon. The 24-year-old, who has won the Padua Marathon in the past, much prefers track to road. He said: “I am very pleased to come second with such quality people around me. But that’s the end of road racing for me now. I’m going back to the track!”
Weir battled through the punctures and crossed the line in a respectable, yet unfortunate, third in 1:37:01.
He said: “I tried my hardest but it was like doing another 20 miles on top when I got two punctures. As soon as your back tyres go, it’s a struggle to go very far. I was in great shape this year and felt back to normal after my illness, but it’s obviously disappointing.”
Cassidy was elated with his biggest win so far on the marathon circuit. He said: “I knew it was going to be a tough race as I’ve been with some of these guys before but I was really excited about competing in London for the first time.
“There are lots of great races in this country and London is definitely one of them.”
Hokinoue was fourth in 1:40:59 while the course record holder, Fearnley, came fifth in 1:41:37. Nine-times Boston winner, Ernst Van Dyk of South Africa, finished sixth in 1:44:11.
The women’s wheelchair race
Tsuchida wins second in a week
London debutante Wakako Tsuchida of Japan won her second major marathon title in a week this morning as she won the women’s wheelchair race at the 2010 Virgin London Marathon.
While Tsuchida was a worthy winner, Britain’s best racer Shelly Woods suffered the same fate as her compatriot in the men’s race, David Weir, when she suffered from a punctured tyre.
The line-up included the course record holder, Sandra Graf, and reigning champion Amanda McGrory. Blackpool-based Woods and Canadian Diane Roy were both in with a chance too after Australian Christie Dawes withdrew earlier this week.
Tsuchida, a newcomer to London, won her fourth Boston title in a row only last Monday, but was thought to be inexperienced on the tactical London course.
Woods was part of the leading pack from the start and looked comfortable. Roy, who finished third last year, dropped off the pack at 25km when she sufferd a puncture and had to pull out. That left four to compete for the title - Woods, McGrory, Graf and Tsuchida.
In wheelchair racing, it can often come to a sprint finish, and all racers are accustomed to sprint finishes in marathons.
By half way, it was obvious this one was not going to be any different, and Woods seemed in with a chance to take her second London win three years after her first. But disaster struck when she blew tyres in the last few miles, ending her hopes for victory in this year’s race.
Coming into the finish straight, McGrory looked likely to retain her title, but Tsuchida’s class finish was simply too good. She crossed the line in 1:52:33.
A surprised Tsuchida said: “I had images about this race before I started and knew experience mattered. It was always going to be tactical so I was expecting a sprint finish. The weather was bad at the beginning and even though I’ve just won Boston, I really wanted to win.”
Second placed Sandra Graf clocked 1:52:34 but the respected racer said: “I got a slight puncture in my front tyre at about 30km. I’m not one to make excuses but it may have been a little different if we had dry conditions.”
McGrory was sad not to retain her title, finishing in 1:52:36, but enjoyed another opportunity to race on the London course. “It was great to be involved in such a tight race,” she said. “I was fine all the way but in the last 300yards my arms just seemed to give way.”
Meanwhile, the disappointed Woods, who continued despite the punctures, came in sixth in 2:45:40. “There’s nothing like racing at home and at the London Marathon,” she said. “It’s just a shame I couldn’t show my sprint finish, but I will be back.”
