Mutiso and Jepchirchir won the London Marathon

The Kenyan Alexander Mutiso defeated a reborn Kenenisa Bekele this Sunday in the men’s category of the London Marathonwhile his compatriot Peres Jepchirchir won the women’s, establishing a new world record for a trial without male hares.

Mutiso and Bekele led the pack of standouts for most of the racebut with about three kilometers to go, the Kenyan left the Ethiopian legend to push his strength to the finish line next to Buckingham Palace and set a time of 2:04:00.

In its part, Jepchirchir, current Olympic champion, won in a tight final sprint to the current distance record holder, Ethiopian Tigist Assefa, with a time of 2:16:16.

Once you cross the finish line Jepchirchir broke down in tears, becoming the fastest woman to run a marathon without male references in the racebroke the record set by Mary Keitany in 2017.

“I’m so happy, I never expected to break a world record“, the 30-year-old athlete declared to the BBC after finishing the race.

Jepchirchir, who in addition to winning Tokyo 2020 also has wins in New York and Boston, asserted his powerful finish against Ethiopian Assefa, who initially started as a big favorite and made 2:16: 23.

The level of the women’s event is considered one of the highest in history, with three of the four fastest marathon runners in the running.

After Jepchirchir and Assefa, Kenyan Joyciline Jepkosgei qualified, just one second behind Assefa.

The men’s race, for its part, was marked by the memory of world record holder Kelvin Kiptum, who died in a traffic accident in Kenya and who just last year broke the London marathon record, with 2:01:25 .

Before the start of the men’s competition, a minute’s silence was observed and a standing ovation was offered to Kiptum, who was also remembered by the race winner in his first remarks after he finished.

“I remember him, may he rest in peace“Mutiso, 27, told the BBC minutes after defeating Bekele.

Mutiso, who cemented his victory with the attack he made at kilometer 39 when he and Bekele were running alone, expressed his confidence that his victory will open doors to the Kenyan event team for the next that Olympic Games in Paris.

14 seconds behind Mutiso came the legendary Bekele (2:04:15), followed by the British duo of Emile Cairess (2:06:46) and Mahamed Mahamed (2:07:05), who failed to break the national record. of the specialty founded by Mo Farah.

Around 50,000 people are taking part in the London Marathon today, including some personalities such as the British Chancellor of the Exchequer, Jeremy Hunt.