Assefa Sets Women's-Only World Record at London Marathon in Ethiopia
Tigst Assefa of Ethiopia achieved a remarkable feat by setting a new women's-only world record at the London Marathon on Sunday, finishing in 2:15:50. The 28-year-old athlete, who placed second in the previous year's marathon behind Kenya's...
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Tigst Assefa of Ethiopia achieved a remarkable feat by setting a new women's-only world record at the London Marathon on Sunday, finishing in 2:15:50. The 28-year-old athlete, who placed second in the previous year's marathon behind Kenya's Peres Jepchirchir, showcased her dominance in this year's race, which Jepchirchir was unable to compete in.
Assefa began the race in a leading pack of four and maintained her position before making a decisive move in the final stretch to secure victory and surpass Jepchirchir's previous record of 2:16:16.
"I'm really happy to win and break the world record today," said Assefa, who had finished just seven seconds behind Jepchirchir last year. "I've worked really hard for this."
Joyciline Jepkosgei took second place with a time of 2:18:43. The Kenyan runner was the only athlete able to keep pace with Assefa after the halfway mark, but she fell behind during the last 10 kilometers. Olympic champion Sifan Hassan from the Netherlands secured third place in 2:18:59.
In the men's elite race, a group of nine competitors ran closely together in the lead for nearly 30 kilometers before Sabastian Sawe of Kenya broke away to clinch victory with a time of 2:02:27.
Uganda's Jacob Kiplimo finished in silver medal position, crossing the line one minute and 10 seconds later, while defending champion Alexander Mutiso Munyao from Kenya came in third with a time of 2:04:20.
Renowned Kenyan runner Eliud Kipchoge finished sixth but was pleased with his time of 2:05:25.
"I'm 40 so it was no problem at all, that's sport. I don't need to prove anything to anyone," said Kipchoge, a double Olympic gold medalist who had withdrawn midway through the Paris Olympic Games last year.
In the wheelchair events, Swiss athletes Marcel Hug and Catherine Debrunner emerged victorious. Hug won the men's race in 1:25:25, while Debrunner triumphed in the women's event with a time of 1:34:18.
Ian Smith for TROIB News
Assefa began the race in a leading pack of four and maintained her position before making a decisive move in the final stretch to secure victory and surpass Jepchirchir's previous record of 2:16:16.
"I'm really happy to win and break the world record today," said Assefa, who had finished just seven seconds behind Jepchirchir last year. "I've worked really hard for this."
Joyciline Jepkosgei took second place with a time of 2:18:43. The Kenyan runner was the only athlete able to keep pace with Assefa after the halfway mark, but she fell behind during the last 10 kilometers. Olympic champion Sifan Hassan from the Netherlands secured third place in 2:18:59.
In the men's elite race, a group of nine competitors ran closely together in the lead for nearly 30 kilometers before Sabastian Sawe of Kenya broke away to clinch victory with a time of 2:02:27.
Uganda's Jacob Kiplimo finished in silver medal position, crossing the line one minute and 10 seconds later, while defending champion Alexander Mutiso Munyao from Kenya came in third with a time of 2:04:20.
Renowned Kenyan runner Eliud Kipchoge finished sixth but was pleased with his time of 2:05:25.
"I'm 40 so it was no problem at all, that's sport. I don't need to prove anything to anyone," said Kipchoge, a double Olympic gold medalist who had withdrawn midway through the Paris Olympic Games last year.
In the wheelchair events, Swiss athletes Marcel Hug and Catherine Debrunner emerged victorious. Hug won the men's race in 1:25:25, while Debrunner triumphed in the women's event with a time of 1:34:18.
Ian Smith for TROIB News
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