FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Records tumble at the biggest ever London Marathon
Records tumbled at the Virgin Money London Marathon today where more than
37,500 finished the gruelling 26.2-mile journey from Blackheath to
Westminster, making the 35th edition of the race the biggest in its history
by almost 1000 runners.
Of the 37,675 who crossed the Finish Line in The Mall by 18:10 this
evening, three established new world records while no fewer than six course
records fell on a day of celebration for Paula Radcliffe and triumph for
London Marathon debutants Eliud Kipchoge and Tigist Tufa, who took the
prestigious elite titles in style.
Kipchoge clinched the men's crown with a thrilling sprint finish and a
flamboyant gesture, denying reigning champion Wilson Kipsang his third
London win as he clocked the third fastest time on the course of 2:04:42,
while Tufa upset the odds to beat a field of fancied Kenyans, becoming only
the second Ethiopian to win the women's race.
While Kipsang missed his London hat-trick by five seconds, Tatyana McFadden
made it three from three in the women's wheelchair event as the American
superstar dominated the field to knock nearly four minutes from her own
course record.
In the men's wheelchair race it was another case of so near, yet so far for
Britain's David Weir. He again missed out in his bid for a record seventh
title by one second, this time losing to Joshua George, who completed a US
double in the wheelchair races, grabbing gold for his nation in the IPC
Athletics Marathon World Championships, where a trio of records were set by
world-beating para-athletes.
Morocco's El Amin Chentouf retained his T12 world title in 2:21:23 to claim
his third consecutive London Marathon victory, while Spain's Abderrahman
Ait Khamouch finished in 2:26:54 to break the T46 record by eight seconds,
and Russia's Elena Pautova broke three hours to win the women's T12 race in
2:58:23.
Before all that breathtaking action, crowds around the Finish Line,
including the Beckham family supporting Romeo, had already seen five course
records in the Virgin Money Giving Mini London Marathon, none more
impressive than Kate Adenegan who marked herself out as one to watch by
smashing more than two minutes from the Under 14 girls' wheelchair mark.
There were records too for Nathan Maguire in the Under 17 boys' wheelchair
event, Ben Dijkstra in the Under 17s boys' race and Tommy Dawson in the
Under 13 boys' race, while Katy-Ann McDonald equalled the Under 15 girls'
mark.
After the Minis came the masses, set on their way by the London Marathon's
first-ever winners, Joyce Smith, Inge Simonsen and Dick Beardsley, who sent
a record 38,020 starters off from Greenwich this morning with a
hand-in-hand gesture to echo Simonsen and Beardsley's famous shared finish
from 1981.
There were no shared finishes among the elites this year, but a lot of
shared love for Radcliffe who completed an emotional final race as a
competitive athlete, receiving a standing ovation on The Mall, before being
presented with the John Disley London Marathon Lifetime Achievement Award
by Prince Harry and race founder Disley.
"This is a really special event and everyone will tell you that," said
Radcliffe afterwards. "For me it was very, very special to be given that
award."
"I knew it would be emotional and it was. I nearly lost it at Birdcage
Walk, but the crowds bowled me over. I wanted it to last forever."
It was an emotional day for thousands of other runners too, as behind the
stars the masses chased times and fundraising targets, turning the cool,
damp London streets into a colourful parade as club runners, fun runners,
celebrities and Guinness World Records hopefuls pledged to transform their
26.2-mile challenge into millions of pounds for charity.
Former Team Sky cyclist Chris Newton smashed his own celebrity record with
a hugely impressive finishing time of 2:39:27, followed home by an array of
well-known faces including Formula 1's Jenson Button, who clocked a swift
2:52:30, model Christy Turlington Burns in 3:46:45, BBC Radio 2 DJ Chris
Evans who crossed the line in 4:53:15 and Bank of England governor Mark
Carney who ran 3:31:35 before declaring it "one of the most exhilarating
experiences of my life."
Alun Cairns was again the fastest MP, in 3:38:25, while 33 fancy
dress-wearing fundraisers set Guinness World Records, an amazing total on
an amazing day for all, not least Laura Harvey and Paul Elliott, who
married at St Katharine Docks half way round the course, and fittingly
crossed the line #handinhand, claiming it was "the best day of our lives."
###
|
