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Martin Lel Earns Third London Marathon Title; Ryan Hall Sets PR & Finishes 5th

Posted April 13th, 2008 at 7:00 AM by Adam Jacobs

Section: News & Results, Marathons, Special Features, Live Race Coverage

martin Lel 2005 London Marathon Martin Lel has earned his third Flora London Marathon championship; finishing in 2:05:15. Lel was followed by fellow Kenyan Sammy Wanjiru (2:05:25) and Abderrahim Goumri (2:05:31); marking the first time in history that three runners finished under 2:06.

Lel’s time set a new London Marathon course record; breaking the previous record set by American Khalid Khannouchi.

Although the elite men had been on pace for a new world record, they began to fall off their blistering pace just pass the half-way mark. This early, and almost a historical pace, caused a large divide between the top six finishers and the next large pack of leaders that included Kenya’s Felix Limo.

Ryan Hall, who 2004 Olympic Marathon gold medalist Stefano Baldini dubbed the future of the sport, set another PR with a time of 2:06:17 and finished in fifth place. Hall came in just one second behind fourth place finisher Emmanuel Mutai of Kenya.

Each of the top six finishers set new personal records.

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/

OFFICIAL MEN’S FINISH TIMES:

1. Martin Lel, KEN, 2:05:15 CR (defends title)
2. Samuel Wanjiru, KEN, 2:05:24
3. Abderrahim Goumri, MAR, 2:05:30
4. Emmanuel Mutai, KEN, 2:06:15
5. Ryan Hall, USA, 2:06:17
6. Deriba Merga, ETH, 2:06:38
7. Yonas Kifle, ERI, 2:08:51
8. Felix Limo, KEN, 2:10:34
9. Aleksey Sokolov, RUS, 2:11:41
10. Hendrick Ramaala, RSA, 2:11:44