Kenya’s Lel Smashes Flora London Marathon Course Record
Posted April 13th, 2008 at 7:05 AM by David Monti
Section: News & Results, Marathons, Special Features, Live Race Coverage
Kenya’s Martin Lel defended his title and smashed Khalid Khannouchi’s Flora London Marathon course record here today, clocking 2:05:15, a personal best. His compatriot, Samuel Wanjiru, stayed with Lel until the final turns before the finish, but was out-sprinted in the last 400m by the World Marathon Majors points leader. He finished second in 2:05:21, also a personal best. Abderrahim Goumri, last year’s runner-up, finished third in a Moroccan record 2:05:30.
American Ryan Hall, who fell back in the middle stages of the race after the blistering 62:12 first half began to take its toll, rebounded in the second half to finish fifth in 2:06:16 (unofficial), becoming the second-fastest American of all-time behind Khannouchi. Kenyan Emmanual Mutai held off Hall in the final sprint to take fifth in 2:06:14 (unofficial). With Deribe Merga taking sixth in 2:06:39 (unofficial), six men broke 2:07, the first time that has ever happened in marathon running.
In the women’s race, favorite Gete Wami of Ethiopia fell at the 30 km drink station losing about ten seconds while Germany’s Irina Mikitenko was pushing the pace. Wami caught back up, but the sturdy German ran a 5:13 24th mile to seal her victory in a personal best 2:24:14, becoming only the second German to win her besides three-time winner Katrin Dörre (1992, 1993, 1994). Russia’s Svetlana Zakharova came home second in 2:24:39 and Wami, who limped just after crossing the finish line holding her right hip, was third in 2:25:37.
Over 35,000 runners started here today under sunny skies accompanied by cool temperatures. However, a cold rain began to fall mid-race, which surely slowed the second half, especially the men’s race.
For more news, analysis, and results from the 2008 Flora London Marathon, please visit: http://london.thefinalsprint.com/
In addition, check out Ryan Hall’s official blog at: http://ryanhall.thefinalsprint.com/
(c) 2008 Race Results Weekly, all rights reserved. Used with permission.
Related Stories:
- Ryan Hall Takes Fifth at 2008 Flora London Marathon
- Lel Takes London Record in History-Making Race
- Germany’s Irina Mikitenko Earns Upset Victory at 2008 Flora London Marathon
- Ryan Hall returns to Flora London Marathon Sunday
- Defar Smashes 5000m World Record in Oslo
Tags: 2008 london marathon, Abderrahim Goumri, course record, deribe merga, Emmanual Mutai, Felix Limo, flora london marathon, Gete Wami, Irina Mikitenko, Katrin Dörre, Khalid Khannouchi, live race coverage, London Marathon, london2008, london2008news, personal best, personal record, PR, Ryan Hall, Samuel Wanjiru, svetlana zakharova
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The Final Sprint
Great job Ryan! Congrats on a HUGE PR for ya buddy!
April 13th, 2008 at 8:26 am