Former champions ready to conquer London marathon

By JONATHAN KOMEN

London Marathon

Former London Marathon winners were beaming with high expectations from Kenyan team ahead of the spectacle in British capital today.

Kenya has won an amassing 15 titles in London Marathon – out of them are nine men titles – since Douglas Wakiihuri (2:09.03) and Joyce Jepchumba won men’s and women’s races in 1989 and laid the winning trend for Kenya.

And the former winner’s, which some of them consolidated points to win the lucrative World Marathon Majors (WMM) series points, expect a huge competitive spirit at the UK’s flagship race.

Felix Limo, who won London Marathon in 2006 and 2007, said ruled out the possibility of breaking Wilson Kipsang’s world record mark of 2:03.23 he set at the BMW Berlin Marathon last year.

“The battle will be complicated as it brings together Geoffrey Mutai and Wilson Kipsang, who are good front runners.

Kenyans need to be cautious on this tact as it would help Tsegaye Kebede of Ethiopia to win.

He is a very calculating man and that’s how he has won in 2009 and 2013,”said Limo, who is best remembered for upstaging Martin Lel in the final kick in 2007 contest.

Limo, who retired last year from running and opted to study veterinary medicine at the university, went on: “It is difficult for these athletes to break the world record since they fear each other. In this case, they lack concentration; only marking each other even if the weather conditions are favourable. It’s simply a very tricky race.”

Mary Keitany, the 2011 and 2012 winner, said she expects a world record in women’s race.

strong team

“The Kenyan line up is very strong. If they strategise well and if weather conditions will allow, they can lower the world record. Florence Kiplagat, Edna Kiplagat and Prisca Jeptoo are all in top form,” Keitany said, adding that she will resume training soon after one-year maternity break.

Joyce Jepchumba, who was Kenya’s first women winner, concurs with her.

“In women’s race, expect a winner from any of the three — Florence Kiplagat, Prisca Jeptoo and Edna Kiplagat. The world record is attainable,” said Jepchumba.

But Margaret Okayo, the 2004 winner, said although Kenya has a strong team there a number of factors that come into play.

“It depends on weather conditions, preparedness, focus and confidence. If team spirit prevails in the women race, then anything good can happen. But it will be tricky if this fails,” said Okayo, a prisons warder in Athi River Prisons.

Kenyan head coach Sammy Rono said ruled out world record possibilities in both races.

“It’s a good team. In fact the best ever squad assembled in a marathon but I know they will fear each other. It can go either way; produce the fastest results or the poorest. But we can expect good time,” he said.

“You cannot underrate any one. Florence Kiplagat can pull a surprise. I know they have trained well since I have been getting reports,” said Rono.

London Marathon winners have been inducted into the “Wall of Fame”, a mural paintings along Eldoret-Nairobi road featuring London Marathon winners.

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