Kosgei wins the London Marathon for the second year in a row; Kipchoge is only eighth
London, Oct. 4, LETA. Kenya long distance runner Brigida Kosgei won the prestigious London Marathon for the second year in a row in the world marathon marathon, while Eliud Kipchoge from Kenya, who finished only eighth, suffered his first loss in any marathon.
Kosgei finished in two hours, 18 minutes and 58 seconds. Currently, 26-year-old Kosgei won the London Marathon last year, but in 2018 took second place.
American Sarah Hala lost three minutes and three seconds to the winner, while the third was the winning compatriot Ruta Chepngetich, who was four seconds slower.
“The weather wasn’t good and we had to fight. I fought until I finished,” Kosgei told the BBC after the finish, adding: “We are not well prepared for the Covid-19 pandemic.”
Last year’s winner, the Kenyan long-distance runner Eliud Kipchoge, failed in the men’s race, finishing only eighth in a very similar race, one minute and one second behind the winner, Ethiopian Shura Kitata.
This was Kipchog’s first loss in the marathon since the 2013 Berlin Marathon, during which time he also celebrated his victory in the Rio Olympics.
Kitata finished in two hours, five minutes and 41 seconds, ahead of Vincent Kipchumba of Kenya by a second and his compatriot Sisay Lemma by four seconds.
The first five runners were within 27 seconds.
The London Marathon was supposed to take place in April, but due to the Covid-19 pandemic, it took place in October, with the participation of elite runners and not on the traditional track in the streets of London, but on a 19-lap track with no spectators.
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