FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Geremew and Wasihun to challenge Kipchoge again at 2020 race
Mosinet Geremew and Mule Wasihun, the Ethiopian duo who pushed the
legendary Eliud Kipchoge to the limit at the 2019 Virgin Money London
Marathon, have confirmed they will return to the race in 2020.
With Kipchoge already confirmed, it means all three podium finishers from
last year will be back for the 2020 Virgin Money London Marathon on Sunday
26 April.
Geremew, 27, ran the fifth fastest time in history of 2:02:55 to take
second place behind Kipchoge in last year's race and then had to settle for
second again in his next marathon, the 2019 World Championships in Doha
last October.
Wasihun's time in finishing third at last year's Virgin Money London
Marathon (2:03:16) was the 11th fastest marathon the world has ever seen.
Third place last year, Mule Wasihun is back for 2020. (Tweet)
Shura Kitata, who was fourth last year and second in 2018, has also been
confirmed, ensuring that it looks likely to be a year when it is the
Ethiopians who will be the biggest threat to Kipchoge winning an historic
fifth London Marathon title.
Spencer Barden, Head of Elite Athletes, said: "Last year's Virgin Money
London Marathon elite men's race was one of the best races we have seen for
many years. Mosinet Geremew and Mule Wasihun pushed Eliud Kipchoge as hard
as I have ever seen but ultimately could not hang on to the great man in
the final two miles. But they will have taken confidence from last year and
will come back this time round looking to cause a real shock."
Kipchoge, who made history by becoming the first human to run a sub-two
hour marathon at the INEOS 1:59 Challenge, is looking to become the most
successful able-bodied athlete in London Marathon history by winning a
fifth title in 2020.
The Virgin Money London Marathon will be the fifth race in the Abbott World
Marathon Majors Series XIII schedule. With three races already completed
(the 2019 World Championships, 2019 Bank of America Chicago Marathon and
2019 TCS New York City Marathon), the lead is shared by Lelisa Desisa
(ETH), Lawrence Cherono (KEN) and Geoffrey Kamworor (KEN). Geremew is in
tied fourth place after his second-placed finish at the World
Championships.
- Abbott World Marathon Majors leaderboard
The other races in the series are this year's Tokyo Marathon, Boston
Marathon, BMW Berlin Marathon, Olympic Marathon and BMW Berlin Marathon
before the series concludes at the Bank of America Chicago Marathon.
The Virgin Money London Marathon elite wheelchair fields will be announced
tomorrow (Wednesday 15 January) and the complete fields announced on Friday
(17 January).
NAME COUNTRY PB
Eliud Kipchoge Kenya 2:01.39
Mosinet Geremew Ethiopia 2:02.55
Mule Wasihun Ethiopia 2:03.16
Tamirat Tola Ethiopia 2:04.06
Marius Kipserem Kenya 2:04.11
Shura Kitata Ethiopia 2:04.49
Vincent Kipchumba Kenya 2:05.09
Sondre Moen Norway 2:05.48
Gideon Kipketer Kenya 2:05.51
Yassine Rachik Italy 2:08.05
Jack Rayner Australia 2:11.06
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