Skechers Performance, photo by Larry Eder
The women’s race on Sunday at the 2018 Skechers Performance LA Marathon came down to the final 800 meters. In 2017, Hellen Jepkurgat took the lead after 23 kilometers.
This year, the pack of fifteen women were together through the half marathon. Around twelve miles, Dire Tune started walking. Hellen Jepkurgat, Selu Gedu, Tsehay Desalegn, Jane Kibii were all together, with Joannes Reyes, Christina Vegera in close company. The pace was not fast the first half, but, little by little the pace quickened as the pack dropped to six, then, five, then, four, and finally three.
Who would move? Would Hellen Jepkurgat let it go until the very end? Selu Gedu had known 5000 meters speed, and Tsehay Desalegn was right there with Hellen Jepkurgat.
There is always a move in a close race. Someone has to make it, and Selu Gedu moved away with ease. Tsehay Desalegn took second and Hellen Jepkurgat, who told us she had nothing left to give, finished third, giving us an very exciting elite women’s finish.