• Privacy Policy
  • Contact Us
  • Login
  • Home
  • Archive
  • Contact Us
No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • Archive
  • Contact Us
No Result
View All Result
No Result
View All Result
Home Road Racing

The Clash of the Titans: Kipsang and Kimetto to clash at 2015 Virgin Money London Marathon

Larry EderbyLarry Eder
January 12, 2015
0
0 0
0
SHARES
0
VIEWS
Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

At the VIP reception for the Virgin London Marathon each year, Chris Brasher, the current Race Director, will invite the VIPs to enjoy the ‘World’s Greatest marathon”, a tradition started by David Bedford, in his former tenure as London’s race director. For years, The Virgin London Marathon has been both the most well run and most logistically sophisticated road event on the circuit. In truth, for those same years, if an athlete was not at London, that meant, that, in nearly all of the cases, London had not chosen them to race over the 26.2 miles of London history that makes up the Virgin London course. 


I have thought that there were years in the past that London could not surpass; well, 2015 may be one of them. On a recent media report, Wilson Kipsang is quoted as saying the WR could be broken in London. Sounds fascinating. And now, with the Boston field (one of its’ best ever), and the upcoming Tokyo Marathon, the World Marathon Majors are staring off 2015 at brakeneck speed: perhaps a fitting launch to the Abbott World Marathon Majors Series launch on February 1, 2015? 


clashoftitanslondon.jpg

Updated January 12, 2015

In 2015, Wilson Kipsang, former World marathon record holder and Dennis Kimetto, current World marathon record holder will duel against each other, for the first time. That race should not only make gripping television, but continue to show the care that London takes in developing it’s racing field as well as its charity field. 

RunBlogRun, as it has for nearly a decade now, will provide live coverage over RunBlogRun.com and the RunningNetwork.com with our week long coverage of the Virgin London Marathon. See you in London on 26 April 2015! 


RelatedPosts

Mouhcine Outalha and Meseret Belete won in Doha Marathon by Ooredoo

ATHLETES HOPE FOR FAST TIMES IN HOUSTON ON SUNDAY

Neely Spence Gracey : ”Like Father Like Daughter?” A Breakthrough Performance For Another Spence!

KIPSANG AND KIMETTO TO CLASH
AT 2015 VIRGIN MONEY LONDON MARATHON
 
The world’s greatest men’s marathon runners will go head-to-head over the marathon distance for the first time when they clash at the 2015 Virgin Money London Marathon on Sunday 26 April, the race organisers announced today.
 
Former world-record holder Wilson Kipsang will defend his London Marathon title in a mile-by-mile bout against fellow Kenyan Dennis Kimetto, the man who made history last year when he broke Kipsang’s record to become the first man ever to run 26.2 miles in less than two hours three minutes.
 
Kimetto, who clocked 2:02:57 in last September’s Berlin Marathon, will make his London Marathon debut in April, while Kipsang takes on the iconic course for the fourth time having won in 2012 and 2014. The two are training partners in the Kenyan town of Iten but have never faced each other over the marathon distance.
 
Kipsang, who set the former world record of 2:03:23 at the Berlin Marathon in 2013, broke the London course record last year when he won in 2:04:29. Now he is aiming to become only the fourth man in the event’s 35-year history to claim a hat-trick of London titles.
 
The 32-year-old has won eight marathons in his career, including his last three races, and was crowned the 2013-2014 World Marathon Majors champion after winning the 2014 New York City Marathon last November.
 
“I would love to join the London Marathon legends by winning a third title,” said Kipsang, who took the bronze medal at the London 2012 Olympic Games.
 
“London always has the best fields but with Dennis in the line-up this year it promises to be a bruising battle. I certainly won’t give up my title without a fight, but let’s see who has the knock-out blow.”
 
The 30-year-old Kimetto, a relative late-comer to world-class distance running, ran the fastest ever debut marathon when he finished second in Berlin in 2012. He has since won three World Marathon Majors races, taking victory at the 2013 Tokyo and Chicago Marathons before last year’s triumph in the German capital when he averaged four minutes 41 seconds per mile to break the historic 2:03 barrier.
 
“I broke Wilson’s world record in Berlin last year and now I want his London Marathon crown,” said Kimetto. “I am relishing the chance to face my friend over the famous course. I know it won’t be easy but I am confident I can go the distance whatever he throws at me.”
 
Virgin Money London Marathon race director Hugh Brasher said: “Having the current and former world-record holders in the same race, going stride for stride for the first time, is a real coup for us on our 35th anniversary, and a thrilling prospect for marathon fans.
 
“Wilson is familiar with our course and showed last year why he is already regarded as one of the greatest marathon runners of all time. But Dennis arrives as a history-maker after making headlines around the world a few months ago. It would take a brave man to predict which one will be left standing on 26 April.”
 
The Kenyan pair are just two of the big hitters in a magnificent men’s elite field announced today that includes the three quickest marathon runners of all time (on legitimate courses); five of the world’s all-time top 10; and eight men in total who have run sub-2:05.
 
And that’s without counting the legendary Ethiopian Kenenisa Bekele, the triple Olympic track gold medallist, and multiple world-record breaker, who makes his London Marathon debut in what is scheduled to be his fourth race over the distance.
 
Bekele ran 2:05:04 to win the Paris Marathon in 2014, but such is the quality of the London field that he is only the ninth quickest in the line-up and third fastest Ethiopian behind 2012 Dubai Marathon champion Ayele Abshero and Tsegaye Mekonnen, who became the fastest junior in history when he won the Dubai race last January.
 
Kipsang and Kimetto are joined by four other strong Kenyans, including 2011 London champion Emmanuel Mutai, who ran the second quickest time ever when finishing runner-up to Kimetto in Berlin last year; Eliud Kipchoge, the former world 5000m champion who won the 2014 Chicago Marathon last October; and Sammy Kitwara, who was second in Chicago and third in Tokyo last year.
 
Last year’s runner-up Stanley Biwott, another sub-2:05 man, returns to the London Marathon seeking to go one better in 2015, while a former Rotterdam Marathon champion, Tilahun Regassa, is the fourth Ethiopian in the field with a best of 2:05:27.
 
British interest rests with Scott Overall, a 2012 Olympian who was fifth at the Berlin Marathon in 2011, and Steve Way, the 40-year-old reformed drinker and smoker who broke the British veterans’ record to finish 10th at the Glasgow Commonwealth Games.
 
The 2015 men’s elite line-up and their best marathon times:
 
Wilson Kipsang (Kenya) 2:03:23
Dennis Kimetto (Kenya) 2:02:57
Emmanuel Mutai (Kenya) 2:03:13
Eliud Kipchoge (Kenya) 2:04:05
Ayele Abshero (Ethiopia) 2:04:23
Sammy Kitwara (Kenya) 2:04:28
Tsegaye Mekonnen (Ethiopia) 2:04:32
Stanley Biwott (Kenya) 2:04:55
Kenenisa Bekele (Ethiopia) 2:05:04
Tilahun Regassa (Ethiopia) 2:05:27
Samuel Tsegay (Eritrea) 2:07:28
Serhiy Lebid (Ukraine) 2:08:32
Aleksey Reunkov (Russia) 2:09:54
Ghebrezgiabhier Kibrom (Eritrea) 2:10:00
Marcin Chabowski (Poland) 2:10:07
Koen Raymaekers (Netherlands) 2:10:35
Scott Overall (Great Britain & NI) 2:10:55
Michael Shelley (Australia) 2:11:15
Javier Guerra (Spain) 2:12:21
Steve Way (Great Britain & NI) 2:15:16
Christian Kreienbühl (Germany)
2:15:35
Pedro Ribeiro (Portugal) Debut

Author

  • Larry Eder
    Larry Eder

    Larry Eder has had a 50-year involvement in the sport of athletics. Larry has experienced the sport as an athlete, coach, magazine publisher, and now, journalist and blogger. His first article, on Don Bowden, America's first sub-4 minute miler, was published in RW in 1983. Larry has published several magazines on athletics, from American Athletics to the U.S. version of Spikes magazine. He currently manages the content and marketing development of the RunningNetwork, The Shoe Addicts, and RunBlogRun. Of RunBlogRun, his daily pilgrimage with the sport, Larry says: "I have to admit, I love traveling to far away meets, writing about the sport I love, and the athletes I respect, for my readers at runblogrun.com, the most of anything I have ever done, except, maybe running itself." Theme song: Greg Allman, " I'm no Angel."

    View all posts

Previous Post

A snapshot of TopoAthletic, a brand for the complete runner/athlete, by Max Lockwood

Next Post

European Athletics Results 2015 (weekend, 03-04.01.2015), by Carles Baronet

Larry Eder

Larry Eder

Larry Eder has had a 50-year involvement in the sport of athletics. Larry has experienced the sport as an athlete, coach, magazine publisher, and now, journalist and blogger. His first article, on Don Bowden, America's first sub-4 minute miler, was published in RW in 1983. Larry has published several magazines on athletics, from American Athletics to the U.S. version of Spikes magazine. He currently manages the content and marketing development of the RunningNetwork, The Shoe Addicts, and RunBlogRun. Of RunBlogRun, his daily pilgrimage with the sport, Larry says: "I have to admit, I love traveling to far away meets, writing about the sport I love, and the athletes I respect, for my readers at runblogrun.com, the most of anything I have ever done, except, maybe running itself." Theme song: Greg Allman, " I'm no Angel."

Similar Post

Cofffee With Larry, Sirikwa Classic World Cross Country, NB Indoor Grand Prix, Millrose Games, Dubai Marathon, USATF Indoors
News

Cofffee With Larry, Sirikwa Classic World Cross Country, NB Indoor Grand Prix, Millrose Games, Dubai Marathon, USATF Indoors

January 30, 2023
2023 RunBlogRun Winter Training Block, Week 4, Day 7, Sunday is a long run…
Winter Training

2023 RunBlogRun Winter Training Block, Week 4, Day 7, Sunday is a long run…

January 30, 2023
Yared Nuguse sets AR for 3,000m in 7:28.24 at Boston Terrier Classic (updated with event photos)
American Records

Yared Nuguse sets AR for 3,000m in 7:28.24 at Boston Terrier Classic (updated with event photos)

January 29, 2023
The Sirikwa Classic World Cross Country Tour is expected to be bigger this year
African Athletics

The Sirikwa Classic World Cross Country Tour is expected to be bigger this year

January 29, 2023
Woody Kincaid sets AR for 5,000m, 12:51.61,  in titanic struggle with Joe Klecker, 12:54.99, both under 13 minutes!
American Records

Woody Kincaid sets AR for 5,000m, 12:51.61, in titanic struggle with Joe Klecker, 12:54.99, both under 13 minutes!

January 29, 2023
Coffee With Larry: Yared Nuguse’s AR 3,000m in 7:28.24, Woody Kincaid’s 12:51.61, 5000m AR, HOT Karlsruhe Meeting, Keely Hodgkinson runs fast 600 meters, sets meet record!
News

Coffee With Larry: Yared Nuguse’s AR 3,000m in 7:28.24, Woody Kincaid’s 12:51.61, 5000m AR, HOT Karlsruhe Meeting, Keely Hodgkinson runs fast 600 meters, sets meet record!

January 28, 2023

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Subscribe to RunBlogRun's Global News Feed

Wake up to RunBlogRun’s news in your inbox. Sign up for our newsletter and we’ll keep you informed about the Sport you love.

*we hate spam as much as you do

  • Trending
  • Comments
  • Latest
USATF / Day Four:  USA’s Assembled Team Is Ready!

Abby Steiner replies via twitter, on the curiosity about her new professional running contract

July 5, 2022
What happened to the crowd at Eugene?

What happened to the crowd at Eugene?

July 17, 2022
Oregon 22 World Athletics Champs: False Starts reconsidered

Oregon 22 World Athletics Champs: False Starts reconsidered

November 18, 2022
Wanda Diamond League Final plans, 2023-2027, from World Athletics Website

Wanda Diamond League Final plans, 2023-2027, from World Athletics Website

October 14, 2022
Asafa Powell, Considering Longevity in Sprinting

The RunBlogrun Interview: Asafa Powell

5
What happened to the crowd at Eugene?

What happened to the crowd at Eugene?

5
TCS New York City Marathon Broadcast to be Available in More Than 530 Million Homes Around the World on Sunday, November 6

RunblogRun Editorial: The Sorry State of Running Television Coverage, by Peter Abraham, note by Larry Eder

4
Cary Pinkowski did the Heroic Thing–My letter to CNN on the LSB Chicago Marathon

Cary Pinkowski did the Heroic Thing–My letter to CNN on the LSB Chicago Marathon

3
Cofffee With Larry, Sirikwa Classic World Cross Country, NB Indoor Grand Prix, Millrose Games, Dubai Marathon, USATF Indoors

Cofffee With Larry, Sirikwa Classic World Cross Country, NB Indoor Grand Prix, Millrose Games, Dubai Marathon, USATF Indoors

January 30, 2023
2023 RunBlogRun Winter Training Block, Week 4, Day 7, Sunday is a long run…

2023 RunBlogRun Winter Training Block, Week 4, Day 7, Sunday is a long run…

January 30, 2023
Yared Nuguse sets AR for 3,000m in 7:28.24 at Boston Terrier Classic (updated with event photos)

Yared Nuguse sets AR for 3,000m in 7:28.24 at Boston Terrier Classic (updated with event photos)

January 29, 2023
The Sirikwa Classic World Cross Country Tour is expected to be bigger this year

The Sirikwa Classic World Cross Country Tour is expected to be bigger this year

January 29, 2023

Popular Stories

  • USATF / Day Four:  USA’s Assembled Team Is Ready!

    Abby Steiner replies via twitter, on the curiosity about her new professional running contract

    0 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • What happened to the crowd at Eugene?

    0 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • Oregon 22 World Athletics Champs: False Starts reconsidered

    0 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • Wanda Diamond League Final plans, 2023-2027, from World Athletics Website

    0 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • Howard Slusher, RIP, 1937-2022, the man behind the new Hayward Field

    0 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0

Recent Tweets

RunBlogRun Follow

RunBlogRun comments on the global world of athletics, sports & ethics, and the Olympic movement. RunBlogRun is the voice of the sport.

RunBlogRun
runblogrun RunBlogRun @runblogrun ·
5h

High school athletes and coaches, do not miss the http://www.nbnationals.com, March 10-12, 2023, #nbnationals, #newbalance, #americantrackandfield,

Reply on Twitter 1619937216876412930 Retweet on Twitter 1619937216876412930 1 Like on Twitter 1619937216876412930 Twitter 1619937216876412930
runblogrun RunBlogRun @runblogrun ·
6h

Athanas Kioko, 2023 Boston Terrier Classic, January 27, 2023, photo by #KevinMorris, #BostonTerrierClassic, #tracklife, #trackandlife, #usatf, #WAIndoorTour, #bostoncollege,

Reply on Twitter 1619928050669441024 Retweet on Twitter 1619928050669441024 Like on Twitter 1619928050669441024 Twitter 1619928050669441024
runblogrun RunBlogRun @runblogrun ·
6h

Woody Kincaid sets AR at 5000m in 12:51.61, 2023 Boston Terrier Classic, January 27, 2023, photo by #KevinMorris, #BostonTerrierClassic, #tracklife, #trackandlife, #usatf, #WAIndoorTour, ...@nikeathletics, #woodykincaid, #bostoncollege,

Reply on Twitter 1619927187402162180 Retweet on Twitter 1619927187402162180 Like on Twitter 1619927187402162180 1 Twitter 1619927187402162180
runblogrun RunBlogRun @runblogrun ·
6h

Woody Kincaid sets AR at 5000m in 12:51.61, 2023 Boston Terrier Classic, January 27, 2023, photo by #KevinMorris, #BostonTerrierClassic, #tracklife, #trackandlife, #usatf, #WAIndoorTour, ...@nikeathletics, #woodykincaid, #bostoncollege,

Reply on Twitter 1619926967616442369 Retweet on Twitter 1619926967616442369 1 Like on Twitter 1619926967616442369 1 Twitter 1619926967616442369
runblogrun RunBlogRun @runblogrun ·
6h

Hobbs Kessler, 2023 Boston Terrier Classic, January 27, 2023, photo by #KevinMorris, #BostonTerrierClassic, #tracklife, #trackandlife, #usatf, #WAIndoorTour, @adidasrunning, #verynicetrackclub, ...#ronwarhurst,

Reply on Twitter 1619923327266734080 Retweet on Twitter 1619923327266734080 Like on Twitter 1619923327266734080 3 Twitter 1619923327266734080
Load More...
Next Post

European Athletics Results 2015 (weekend, 03-04.01.2015), by Carles Baronet

runblogrun

RunBlogRun comments on the global world of athletics, sports & ethics, and the Olympic movement. @runblogrun

Browse by Category

Newsletter

Subscribe to our mailing list to receives daily updates direct to your inbox!

  • Home
  • Archive
  • Contact Us

© 2022 Run Blog Run - All Rights Reserved

No Result
View All Result
  • Archive
  • Contact Us
  • Home page
  • My Account
  • Sample Page

© 2022 Run Blog Run - All Rights Reserved

Welcome Back!

Login to your account below

Forgotten Password?

Retrieve your password

Please enter your username or email address to reset your password.

Log In

Add New Playlist