adminLONDON. — World record-holder Wilson Kipsang won the men’s London Marathon in a course record two hours, four minutes and 29 seconds yesterday as Britain’s Mo Farah found life tough on his debut over the distance.
Kipsang’s smashed the previous London record of 2:04:40 set by fellow Kenyan Emmanuel Mutai in 2011.
It was a second London victory for Kipsang, the 2012 champion, who outpaced compatriot Stanley Biwatt in the finishing straight.
Tsegaye Kebede of Ethiopia, last year’s winner, was third and Ayele Abshero of Ethiopia was fourth.
Kenya celebrated a race double as Edna Kiplagat, runner-up for the past two years in London, won the women’s event.
Kipsang and Mutai were always among the leading men’s group and gradually pulled clear of the field.
Farah, reigning Olympic and world 5 000 and 10 000 metres champion, finished in eighth place having failed to break Steve Jones’s British record of 2:07:13, which has stood since 1985.
“I will be back,” Farah told the BBC. “I’m not going to finish it like this. I gave it my all but I’m disappointed I didn’t go out there and give what the crowd deserve.”
British distance great Brendan Foster, commentating on the race, urged Farah to stick to defending his track gold medals at the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio.
However, the 31-year-old Farah refused to be rushed into a decision on his future, saying: “It was pretty tough. I’m disappointed but you try things and sometimes it doesn’t work, but you have to give it a go.
Farah, not helped by missing a drink station shortly after the half-way mark, added: “I gave it a go. That’s all I could do. I’m just disappointed I didn’t go out there and give a bit more what the crowd deserve.” — AFP.
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