Kenyan athlete Peres Jepchirchir achieved a remarkable feat at the London Marathon on Sunday, April 21, setting a world record for a women-only marathon while clinching victory.
Jepchirchir, eyeing a chance to defend her Olympic gold, surpassed expectations by achieving both goals. With a dominant performance, she surged ahead of her competitors in the final stretch, crossing the finish line alone in front of Buckingham Palace.
The 30-year-old completed the race in 2 hours, 16 minutes, and 16 seconds, securing first place ahead of Tigst Assefa and Joyciline Jepkosgei. While her time was more than 4 minutes slower than the overall women’s world record, it marked the fastest time ever recorded in a women-only marathon, surpassing Mary Keitany’s previous record set in 2017.
Jepchirchir’s victory not only showcased her athletic prowess but also solidified her position on Kenya’s Olympic team for Paris. She emphasized the significance of the London Marathon as the final qualifying race before Kenya’s Olympic selectors finalize their team for the upcoming Games.
Reflecting on her unexpected achievement, Jepchirchir expressed her determination to defend her Olympic title, highlighting her rigorous training leading up to the race.
For Jepchirchir, the victory served as redemption after finishing third in last year’s London Marathon. Her ability to emerge victorious in a tight finish this time boosts her confidence heading into the Paris Olympics.
In the men’s race, Kenyan Alexander Mutiso Munyao claimed victory, crossing the finish line in 2 hours, 4 minutes, and 1 second. Ethiopia’s Kenenisa Bekele secured second place, with Britain’s Emile Cairess finishing third.
The Kenyan triumph in both the men’s and women’s races coincided with a moment of remembrance for last year’s champion, Kelvin Kiptum, who tragically passed away in a car accident in February at the age of 24.
