by Justin LagatThe 2020 VM London Marathon was won by Shura Kitata, in the final steps of the race. The men’s event was exciting, and with much drama. This is the second piece by Justin Lagat on the 2020 London Marathon.
Shura Kitata held off Vincent Kipchumba, by one second! Shura Kitata won the London marathon in 2:05.41-2:05:42, #the40thrace , #londonmarathon , @theshoeaddicts, @runblogrun, @rosassociati, pic.twitter.com/X1FkHK0pDR
— RunBlogRun (@RunBlogRun) October 4, 2020
In the final one kilometer of the race, there were four runners still battling together at the front; three Ethiopians and one Kenyan. It was a tense moment for the Kenyan fans as they had all their hopes heaped on one man.
And now there is four, 2:02 into race, #the40thrace , #londonmarathon , @theshoeaddicts, @runblogrun, @rosassociati, pic.twitter.com/wsOGSo8IDm
— RunBlogRun (@RunBlogRun) October 4, 2020
Mosinet Geremew was the first one to let go of the fight and three runners entered the final stretch together. In a sprint finish towards the tape, Kenya’s Vincent Kipchumba appeared to be slightly ahead of Shura Kitata, but Kitata seemed to engage another gear just before the finish line to win the race in 2:05:41, one second ahead of Kipchumba. Lemma Sisay finished third in 2:05:45.
It was not a very fast race from the start as they crossed the first 5K in 14:48. About thirteen runners were all still together in the leading pack at around the 10km point. Then, Eliud Kipchoge moved between the pace setters and asked them to increase the pace a bit.
The elite men’s lead pack, 2020 VM London Marathon, photo by London Marathon Media
It was still a large group of about ten runners as they crossed the half marathon point in 1:02:54. This was definitely building up into an exciting finish with no clear winner. There appeared to be some quickening of the pace after one pace setter remained. It was soon down to nine runners in the leading pack.
The elite men’s lead pack, 2020 VM London Marathon, photo by London Marathon Media
Lemma Sisay made a move after the 25km point and things started to get quite exciting from there. Vincent Kipchumba reacted and moved behind him. The group disintegrated into a single file, but still, there was always not more than one-meter gap developing within them.
What a race, one second in it…😱
1⃣ Shura Kitata – 02:05:41
2⃣ Vincent Kipchumba – 02:05:42
3⃣ Sisay Lemma – 02:05:45#LondonMarathon #The40thRace pic.twitter.com/Lq597Hq5Qd— Virgin Money London Marathon (@LondonMarathon) October 4, 2020
Kipchoge returned to the front at the 35km point momentarily before Shura Kitata took over the lead from him. Kipchumba was contented with staying behind whoever moved to the front.
Approaching the 40km point, Kipchoge who would later explain to the press that he had developed a problem in the race at around the 15km point, and two others began to lag behind leaving a strong pack of five at the front.
It was not a good day for Kipchoge. It was also not the expected result for most of the fans, but all these create more excitement to look forward to the upcoming major races. Will Eliud Kipchoge come back to prove that he is still the reigning king of the marathon? Time will tell.
🗣︔If you want to enjoy sport then you have to accept the results.”
An off day for the greatest of all time today but @EliudKipchoge remained gracious in defeat. #LondonMarathon #The40thRace pic.twitter.com/a2yocYdsQ9
— Virgin Money London Marathon (@LondonMarathon) October 4, 2020
