NAIROBI, April 26- Eliud Kipchoge is the new London Marathon champion after dethroning Wilson Kipsang from the throne in an epic finish to a star-studded race on Sunday.
Ethiopia’s Tigist Tufa stunned the fantastic four from Kenya to take the honours in the corresponding women’s race ahead of two-time champion, Mary Keitany.
The men’s race came down to a sprint finish between Kipsang and Kipchoge after matching each other stride for stride over the last two kilometres before the Chicago Marathon champion prevailed in 2:04:41.
Kipchoge 30, beat Kipsang on his London Marathon debut 12 seconds short of the latter’s course record as he celebrated by pointing at the crowds in the final metres.
The former champion’s unofficial time of 2:04:47 made him the fastest ever runner-up, better than Stanley Biwott’s 2:04:55 from last year with world record holder Dennis Kimetto completing the Kenyan podium sweep in 2:05:50. Biwott was fourth.
“It was a tough race. My training paid off and it went to plan. The crowd were wonderful and lifted me for my sprint finish,” Kipchoge said after his biggest triumph in his short lived ultimate distance career as he paid homage to the vociferous crowd.
“I am happy with second. The race was good and I don’t mind the cold weather. The crowd kept me going; it’s a wonderful atmosphere as always,” Kipsang magnanimously offered.
Four time World Marathon Majors races winner, Geoffrey Mutai failed to finish the race.
The women’s race produced one of the largest shocks in the history of the World Marathon Majors race that ran its 35th edition when another debutant, Tufa, 28, prevailed over an imposing field.
