•The 23-year-old pulled off a vintage performance and blazed to the tape in just 2hrs 01mins 27secs, effectively smashing compatriot Eliud Kipchoge’s course record of 2:02.37 set earlier in 2017.
•Kiptum admitted that he had to contend with adverse weather elements on his way to the winner’s podium.
Image: HANDOUT
Kenya’s Kelvin Kiptum breezed through a chilly day to crack the men’s London Marathon title, recording the second-fastest time ever in the process.
The 23-year-old pulled off a vintage performance and blazed to the tape in just 2hrs 01mins 27secs, effectively smashing compatriot Eliud Kipchoge’s course record of 2:02.37 set earlier in 2017.
Kiptum almost obliterated Kipchoge’s world record but tapered off on the home stretch to miss the mark by just 18 seconds.
Geoffrey Kamworor of Kenya came through in a distant second ahead of Tamirat Tola of Ethiopia, the world champ.
Elated by his performance and still gasping for breath after the blistering pace to the finish line, Kiptum beamed off a smug smile while reminiscing about his feat.
“I am so happy with the result. I don’t know what to say right now, I am just grateful,” the jubilant winner stated in a post-race interview.
He admitted that he had to contend with adverse weather elements on his way to the winner’s podium.
“The course felt good, although I struggled in some phases of the race because there was a bit of rain along the way. But I’m happy I finally won the race,” Kiptum added.
Buoyed by his landmark win, Kiptum hinted at taking further stabs in subsequent editions of the prestigious event.
“I enjoy doing the marathons. They are my cup of tea. I prepared well for the race and I expected nothing short of a win. It was a tough race like any other and I loved it. I am very happy.”
The Kenyan sensation went through the 15km mark in 43:51 and 20km in 58:31 before hitting the halfway mark in 1:01:40.
After leading a fierce competition of eight athletes through the 25km mark in 1:12:53, Kiptum broke away at the 30km mark and opened a 10-second gap on Kamworor on his way to victory.
In the women’s race, Ethiopian-born Dutch runner Sifan Hassan overcame a cramp to storm to her first Marathon Major on her debut appearance.
The 30-year-old romped to the title in 2:18.33 dethroning Ethiopian Alemu Mergetu who emerged second. Kenya’s Peris Jepchirchir rounded off the top three.
Hassan came through so many tunnels of darkness in the race on her way to the winner’s podium. She fell way off the pace, clutching her hip in agony, around the 15-mile mark.
Looking like she was about to pull out, she gave a befuddled look, clutched her hips, and grimaced as she hang onto the back of the lead group.
As the grimaces got worse, she stopped twice on the road to stretch out her left leg, then carried on.
Meanwhile, Jepchirchir stepped on the gas and pushed herself into the lead with Sheila Chepkirui, Yalemzerf Yehualaw, and Alemu Megertu hot on her heels.
A mile away, Judith Korir and Sifan Hassan battled it out in the chase pack to get closer to the lead group. Hassan ultimately broke away from Korir to run on her own.
She eventually worked her way back up to the front with about 15 minutes to go.
It was such a test of nerves as the race came down to a sprint for the line with the crowd on the Mall cheering as the leading three took the final bend.
The 5,000 and 10,000m Olympic champion could hardly believe it as she breasted the tape with her arms wide in a sprint finish after her many ordeals.