Kipchoge does not fly, London marathon in Kitata

Under a pouring rain that inevitably slowed down the pace of the race, surprisingly Eliud Kipchoge, unbeaten since 2013, finished the London marathon only in eighth place, won in the sprint by the Ethiopian Shura Kitata. After Kenenisa Bekele's retirement on Friday, stopped by an injury, the 40 edition of the London race seemed to have only one master, Kipchoge, winner in London already four times and holder of the world record since 2018 with the staff of 2: 01.39. But with two laps to go - the race took place along a circuit inside St James' Park of about 2km repeated 19 times, before arriving on The Mall, in front of Buckingham Palace - the Kenyan champion broke away from the group at command without being able to be among the first. A defeat that extinguishes suspicion and controversy in the bud about the shoes worn by the Kenyan runner, a model with a particularly raised para that - according to its critics - would favor him beyond the lawful. "I am very sorry, I do not know what happened to me - Kipchoge's words at the finish line -. In the last 15 Km my ear got plugged, I accused cramps in the femur and in the leg. started well. It was very cold, but I can't take it in time. " Which, on the other hand, did not stop Kitata, protagonist of a crescendo that allowed him to prevail over compatriot Vincent Kipchumba, closing the marathon in two hours, five minutes and 41 seconds. "I have prepared particularly well for this race - the words of the 24-year-old winner, who preceded Kipchumba, by one second, and Sisay Lemma, by three seconds -. Kenenisa Bekele gave me a big hand. Winning here, in front of these opponents. , has an even more special meaning ". In the women's field, the world record holder, Brigid Kosgei, who repeated last year's success, won. Due to the health emergency, the 2020 edition of the London marathon was restricted to 100 top-runners, but the organization - through an app - still allowed the remote participation of 45 thousand amateur runners, from 109 different nations, called to cover the distance of 42 km and 195 meters, along a free path, chosen by them. Their final time - the runners will have to complete the virtual marathon by midnight on Sunday - will compose a general classification, so as to be able to assign the long-awaited and sweaty medals reserved for those who finish the race. (HANDLE).