Wilson Kipsang wins 2012 Virgin London Marathon, by Larry Eder

The Boston marathon had hurt chances of Kenya’s Geoffrey Mutai, winner at 2011 Boston and 2011 New York, who had dropped out, after getting sick on warm sports drinks at 30k, and Gebre Gebremariam, of Ethiopia, who had run a sub par race. Rotterman had Moses Mosop taking third in the race, in a 2:05.04-now, think a moment, a two hour, five minute marathon and the guy does not make a team (wait, he still might…).

Wilson Kipsang is a very elegant runner. Light on his feet, clean form, there is very little wasted motion. Kipsang was pushing the pace between 15 and 20k, running 14:43 for that 5,000 meter split. ” I knew when I went away, they have to work very, very hard to beat me, and I was feeling very good myself, ” noted Wilson afterwards.

The pack was there, running 59:14–59:15 for 20k. The half marathon was hit in 1:02:12, with Wilson Kipsang, Bazu Worku and Feyisa Lilesa all there. Abel Kirui was three seconds back, as Wilson Kipsang began to push the pace and make some brakes. Tsegaye Kebede and Vincent Kipruto were eight seconds back.

And then, there were three…..

Between 20k and 25k, Feyisa Lilesa, Wilson Kipsang and Abel Kirui ran together, running a 5k split of 14:09, yes, that is 14:09 for 5,000 meters. A 4:36 mile in that segment showed that the top three were serious. Martin Lel lead the next pack, fifteen seconds back. All looked good, by Wilson Kipsang was gently managing the front pack.

Abel Kirui, Feyisa Lilesa and Wilson Kipsang were together at 30k, hit in 1:28.04, with Emmanuel Mutai in 1:29.06, leading the chasing pack. The trio upfront was pushing hard, but cracks were beginning to show.

Wilson Kipsang began to push, between 30 and 35k and put fifteen seconds between himself and Feyisa Lelisa who began to drop back. Abel Kirui, the World Champs, also started to drop. ” I was feeling very good,” noted Wilson afterwards.

Hitting 35k in 1:42.47, Wilson Kipsang looked amazing, and continued to roll. Running 15:10 for the 5k between 35 and 40k, Kipsang fell off the world record pace, but it had been a hard battle. ” I am sorry I did not get the record, but winning is the most important thing for me” added Wilson about his tactics here.

Running strong for the last 2.2 kilometers, Wilson Kipsang won the 2012 Virgin London Marathon, in a fine 2:04.44, giving him three times under 2:05!

The battle for second came down to a sprint, as Martin Lel picked up the pace with 500 meters to go and ran down the diminutive (well, compared to Martin) Tsegaye Kebede, 2:06.51 to 2:06.52.

Andil Annani of Morroco took fourth in 2:07.43 with team mate Jaouad Gharib, two time World Champion, in fifth in 2:07.44. Abel Kirui, the defending World Champ, was sixth in 2:07.56. Emmanuel Mutai, second here in 2011, was seventh today in 2:08.01. Marlison Gomes dos Santos ran 2:08.03 for eighth. Samuel Tsegay took ninth in 2:08.06 and Feyisa Lelisa of Kenya was tenth in 2:08.20.

Looking down from above, hopefully enjoying the race was the late Sammy Wanjiru, defending champion from Beijing. He and the late Chris Brasher, we hope, kept the rain away for most of the day.

Tsegaye Kebede, who finished one second back, in third, said, ” It was a good race. My preparation was good, and I felt confident. I have had a small stomach problem so I could not beat Martin in the sprint, I am happy with third. ”