Icon: enlarge
Eliud Kipchoge
Photo:
ADAM DAVY / AFP
Olympic champion Eliud Kipchoge has been beaten again in a marathon after seven years.
The 35-year-old running superstar and top favorite from Kenya only finished eighth in the race without spectators in London and had no chance against the winner Shura Kitata from Ethiopia.
Kitata prevailed after a sprint to the finish in rain and cold after 2:05:41 hours with one second ahead of Vincent Kipchumba.
Third was Sisay Lemma from Ethiopia in 2:05:45 hours.
Kipchoge had to tear down a good four kilometers from the finish.
It is only his second defeat in a marathon race, the last time the world record holder was beaten in 2013 in Berlin by his compatriot Wilson Kipsang, who has since been banned for doping.
In London, Kipchoge crossed the finish line 1:08 minutes behind winner Kitata.
Gabius missed the Olympic standard
"I came here to win in London for the fifth time. Now I am very disappointed," said Kipchoge, who reported problems with his right ear and hip during the race.
Winner Kitata only said: "I am overjoyed."
The German record holder Arne Gabius also missed his target.
The 39-year-old stayed in 22nd place in 2:14:25 hours over the Olympic standard of 2:11:30 hours.
Before that, Ethiopia's running star Kenenisa Bekele, the second fastest marathon runner in history, had to cancel his participation due to an injury.
Icon: enlarge
Brigid Kosgei repeated her triumph from the previous year
Photo: Richard Heathcote / AP
With women, Kipchoge's compatriot Brigid Kosgei (26) did better.
The world record holder repeated her triumph from the previous year and clearly prevailed against the American Sara Hall (2:22:01) and world champion Ruth Chepngetich (2: 22: 05 / Kenya) after an unofficial 2:18:58 hours.
Kosgei missed the international best time for all-women races by Mary Keitany (also from Kenya) from London 2017 with 2:17:01 hours.
In 2019, she had improved the official world record of the British Paula Radcliffe in the mixed race of Chicago to 2:14:04 hours.
Because of the corona pandemic, no amateur runners were allowed in the 40th edition of the traditional race.
The 41.195 kilometers were completed without a spectator on a closed circuit through St. James's Park at Buckingham Palace.
Numerous other large city marathons had been canceled this year due to corona, including the race in Berlin.
Icon: The mirror
ara / sid