Kenya’s Peres Jepchirchir Breaks Women’s only world record In London: Wins the All women’s London Marathon 2024.
London was set ablaze by the energy that the Marathon brought to the city. In a tight contest for gold by some of the world’s fastest men and women, the diasporic Africans in London didn’t hold back their cheers for Africa’s very own in the field on the stands and online.
Much as Kenya bagged all the gold with Peres and Munyao winning the women’s and men’s elite races respectfully we need to give some extra flowers to the new world record setter Peres Jepchirchir who for the first time won this marathon in London.
This race is by many being considered one of the most organized and competitive women’s only race. The field that comprised three of the four fastest women in history in competition, the women’s elite race was such a sight to behold.
These speed machines set on track for the women’s only record which meant that this course was to be run by women only and no male athletes were to be in the marathon.
The world’s fastest women started off strong and within a matter of seconds their pack which led the rest of the field of runners had left the latter by a significant distance.
Keeping the energy pumping and the pack close and tight, the lead pack started to narrow and the pencil-thin pack now comprised Jepchirchir, Alemu, Jepkosgei and Assefa pushing through.
However, the pack would disembark shortly when Jepchirchir stepped ahead of the adrenalin filled Assefa in the closing hundreds of meters in the marathon to grab her very first victory in London whilst also setting anew world record for the women’s only marathon.
The win qualified her for the Olympics and she can not wait to bag those medals too.
In an interview Jepchirchir shared her Joy and her triumphs and what winning this particular race meant to her, having run with such energy and fervor with the world’s fastest women.
“I knew the history and the ladies were strong. I was working extra hard. My time was lower but I’ve come good and set a PB”
“I am so happy to qualify for the Olympics and I feel grateful. I’m happy to be at Paris and my prayer is to be there and run well to defend my title. I know it won’t be easy but I’ll try my best” she added.
The women’s elite race results were as follows;
1. In first place was Kenya’s Peres Jepchirchir (2:16:16)
2. Second place was taken by Ethiopia’s Tigst Assefa (2:16:23)
3. Coming in third was Kenya’s Joyciline Jepkosgei (2:16:24)
4. And in the fourth position came Ethiopia’s Mergutu Alemu (2:16:34)
Another highlight from the Kenyan athletes was the tribute paid to the late Kelvin Kiptum before the men’s race. Kelvin Kiptum won the2023 marathon in London and He was the Nation’s World record holder. He died in a fatal road accident that claimed the 24-year old’s life back in Kenya his home country.
Despite a befitting end to the race with Kenya’s 27-year-old Alexander Mutiso Munyao clenching the gold, he did put up a fight against 41-year-old Bekele a three-time Olympic champion and a 5 time world champion winning the race at the 2:04:01 mark. Kenenisa Bekele came in second at 2:04:15, Emile Cairess third at 2:06:46 and Finally in the fourth position came Mahamed Mahamed at 2:07:05.
