Kelvin Kiptum ran the second fastest marathon ever, and Sifan Hassan pulled off a remarkable victory in the women’s race
The 2023 London Marathon featured a thrilling women’s finish and saw the men’s winner run the second-fastest marathon ever. Around 48,000 runners are expected to cross the line on a damp, overcast day. Here are the highlights from the British capital.
The 2023 London Marathon featured a thrilling women’s finish and saw the men’s winner run the second-fastest marathon ever. Around 48,000 runners are expected to cross the line on a damp, overcast day. Here are the highlights from the British capital.
One of the pre-race favorites—marathon world record holder Brigid Kosgei—started the race but dropped out before the first mile. Kosgei mentioned she was having some hamstring issues before the race, and it was clear that she wasn’t 100 percent.
Kelvin Kiptum used a ferocious surge just after 30K to break the race open to win in a course record 2:01:25. He’s now the second-fastest marathoner ever, behind Eliud Kipchoge’s world record of 2:01:09. Geoffrey Kamworor was second almost three minutes back in 2:04:23, while Tamirat Tola crossed the line in third in 2:04:59.
Kiptum will go home with $230,000 for winning the race and dipping under the course record and 2:03 barrier, and his second half marathon split—59:45—is the fastest second half of a marathon ever. The 23-year-old Kenyan passes Kenenisa Bekele on the all-time list—who started today’s race but dropped out after 25K.
