Wilson Kipsang is one of the most fascinating athletes on the circuit. A debut over the marathon distance at the Paris Marathon in 2:07:13 in April 2010 was followed up at the Mainova Frankfurt Marathon in October 2010, where Wilson opened some eyes with his solid 2:04:32 CR. In March 2011, Wilson Kipsang won the iconic Lake Biwa Marathon in Japan, with a 2:06:13 CR. Wilson followed that race with his shocker, a near WR of 2:03:42. His 2012 season was wins in London (2:04:44), a bronze medal in London Olympics (2:09:37), and a win in hot and humid Honolulu in 2:12:31.
Wilson Kipsang, 2018 BMW Berlin Marathon, September 16, 2018, photo by Photorun.net
2013 changed his life. Wilson set the WR of 2:03:23 at BMW Berlin Marathon, with Eliud Kipchoge, in 2:04:05. Wilson followed up the WR with wins in London (2:04.29 CR) and NYC (2:10:59). 2015 was a tough year, as Wilson took second to Eliud Kipchoge, who won London, with Kipsang in 2:04:47. When WR holder Dennis Kimeto (Kimeto ran 2:02:57 WR in Sept 2014 at BMW Berlin Marathon), and Wilson Kipsang DNFed at 30-35k in Beijing 2015, there was much disappointment in Kenya.
2016 was a bit of redemption. A fifth place in London in 2:07:32, was rewarded by Wilson not being named to 2016 Olympic team. So, Wilson Kipsang got back in shape and battled Kenenisa Bekele to the finish, as Bekele won BMW Berlin Marathon in 2:03:03 to Kipsang's 2:03:13 PB! Wilson was back in shape!
In 2017, Wilson Kipsang took first place in the Tokyo Marathon in 2:03:58 CR. He dnfed in 2017 BMW Berlin Marathon, and then took second in an oh so close rush to the finish, in 2017 TCS NYC Marathon, in 2:10:56, a mere three seconds behind Geoffrey Kamworor. 2018 has been up and down. Wilson Kipsang DNFed in Tokyo, having dealt with a stomach issue in the preceeding days. He won the Tokushima Marathon in 2:19:35 weeks after his Tokyo DNF, and then, followed Eliud Kipchoge in his 2:01:39 WR with a third place 2:06:48 in the 2018 BMW BMW Berlin Marathon.
This interview is post race by Andy Edwards, Race News Service. Just how good is Wilson Kipsang? Wilson was first man under 2:04 in the marathon on 4 separate times!
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