Martin Lel gets second London title in thrilling sprint finish
Posted April 22nd, 2007 at 7:28 AM by David Monti
Section: News & Results, Marathons, Special Features, Live Race Coverage
In a finish reminiscent of the 2003 Flora London Marathon, Kenyan Martin Lel won a four-man sprint on the Mall to take his second title here in 2:07:41. He also won here in 2005.
Making the final righthand bend before the finish line, Lel surged away from defending champion and compatriot, Felix Limo, world champion Jaouad Gharib of Morocco, and another Moroccan, Abderrahim Goumri. Goumri was the next best sprinter, finishing second in 2:07:44 in his debut at the distance. Limo finished third in 2:07:47 and Gharib, who did most of the pushing in the final kilometers, was fourth in 2:07:54.
“I corrected the mistake I made last year,” Lel told the BBC, referring to how he lost last year’s race in a two-man sprint against Limo.
Ethiopian legend Haile Gebrselassie dropped out just past the 30-K mark. “I cannot move,” Gebrselassie told the BBC shortly after leaving the course. “I don’t know what’s going on.”
American Ryan Hall made an excellent debut, smashing the USA debut record of 2:09:41 held jointly by Alberto Salazar and Alan Culpepper. Hall finished seventh in 2:08:24, running at the front of the race until falling back in the final kilometers.
Conditions were warm. The temperature at the finish was 21C (70F) with 38% humidity under sunny skies.
Official Men’s Results and Times:
1. Martin Lel (Ken) 2:07:41
2. Abderrahim Goumrie (Morocco) 2:07:44
3. Felix Limo (Ken) 2:07:47
4. Jaouad Gharib (Mor) 2:07:54
5. Hendrick Ramaala (RSA) 2:07:56
6. Paul Tergat (Ken) 2:08:06
7. Ryan Hall (USA) 2:08:24 (American Debut Record)
8. Marilson Gomes dos Santos (Braz) 2:08:37
9. Dan Robinson (GBR) 2:14:14
10. Andi Jones (GBR) 2:17:49
American Results & Times:
7. Ryan Hall 2:08:24 (American Debut Record)
14. Joe Driscoll 2:20:49
31. Fasil Bizuneh 2:29:30
***** ***** ***** ***** *****
Check out all of TheFinalSprint.com’s LIVE coverage of the 2007 London Marathon at:
http://london.thefinalsprint.com
***** ***** ***** ***** *****
Great London Marathon recaps and coverage from around the world:
- Kenya’s Lel wins 2007 London Marathon; Hall sets American debut record!
– TheFinalSprint.com- Lel wins London Marathon thriller
— BBC- China’s Zhou wins London Marathon
— BBC- Lel Sprints to Second London Marathon Title
— Reuters- Lel and Zhou win Flora London Marathon titles
– Athletics Weekly- RT Live London Marathon Coverage & Recap
– Running Times- Ryan Hall Runs 2:08:24 At London; Martin Lel Wins, 2:07:41
– Runners World- It’s London Marathon Time
– MarathonGuide.com- Lel gives Kenya fourth straight London title
– WCSN- Zhou storms to victory in London
– WCSN- Lel Wins Second London Marathon as Gebrselassie Quits
– Bloomberg- Lel wins close men’s race at London Marathon, Zhou wins women’s title
– IHT - Lel wins London Marathon thriller
***** ***** ***** ***** *****
(c) 2007 Race Results Weekly, all rights reserved. Used with permission.
***** ***** ***** ***** *****
PHOTO: Martin Lel winning the 2005 Flora London Marathon (Courtesy of the Flora London Marathon)
Related Stories:
- Lel Takes London Record in History-Making Race
- Martin Lel Earns Third London Marathon Title; Ryan Hall Sets PR & Finishes 5th
- Thrilling Finishes & Record- Breaking Performances Help World Marathon Majors Usher in Brand New Era
- NYC MARATHON 2007:
Elite Athlete Profile:
MARTIN LEL - Former champions Martin Lel and Rodgers Rop return to ING NYC Marathon
Tags: Abderrahim Goumri, Alan Culpepper, Alberto Salazar, American debut record, debut marathon, Fasil Bizuneh, Felix Limo, flora london marathon, haile gebrselassie, Jaouad Gharib, live race coverage, London Marathon, london2007, Ryan Hall
Like what you see? Subscribe to our feed!
The Final Sprint