Kenyan Jepkosgei Wins 2021 London Marathon

An undated file image of Kenya's Joyciline Jepkosgei
An undated file image of Kenya's Joyciline Jepkosgei
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Kenya's Joyciline Jepkosgei on Sunday, October 3, emerged victorious in the 2021 London Marathon.

The athlete clocked in at 2 hours 17 minutes 43 seconds smashing the 2 hours, 18 minutes, and 20 seconds record set by her compatriot Brigid Kosgei in 2019. 

Kosgei, the defending champion, sought to win her third consecutive title but could not keep up with Jepkosgei's pace. 

An athlete celebrates with a Kenyan flag after winning a race
An athlete celebrates with a Kenyan flag after winning a race.
AthleticsKenya

Jepkosgei also defeated fierce Ethiopian rivals, Roza Dereje and double Tokyo Marathon champion, Birhane Dibaba.

The win has placed Jepkosgei as the seventh fastest female marathoner in history. Ethiopians Degitu Azimeraw (2:17:58) and Ashete Bekere (2:18:18) second and third respectively.

The World record holder, Kosgei finished fourth, clocking in at 2 hours 18 minutes and 40 seconds.

In the men's marathon, Kenya's Titus Ekiru pulled out of the race with the majority speculating due to an injury. 

Ekiru was regarded as the fastest man in the world this year. Ethiopia's Sisay Lemma emerged victorious clocking in at 2 hours 4 minutes and 1 second.

Kenya's Vincent Kipchumba followed closely and scooped the silver medal with a 2 hour 4 minutes and 28 seconds timestamp.

The third spot went to Ethiopia's Mosinet Geremew with a finish of 2 hours 4 minutes and 41 seconds.

Lemma run short of less than two minutes to match Eliud Kipchoge's record of 2 hours 2 minutes and 37 seconds, which was set during the 2019 London Marathon.

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World record holder Eliud Kipchoge trains in Kenya during the Covid-19 pandemic in July 2020
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