My BEST Runs Fastest Marathon (women)
Virgin London Marathon

Sunday October 4th, 2020
London, England
Distance: Marathon

The London Marathon was first run on March 29, 1981 and has been held in the spring of every year since 2010. It is sponsored by Virgin Money and was founded by the former Olympic champion and journalist Chris Brasher and Welsh athlete John Disley. It is organized by Hugh Brasher (son of Chris) as Race Director and Nick Bitel as Chief Executive. Set over a largely flat course around the River Thames, the race begins at three separate points around Blackheath and finishes in The Mall alongside St. James's Park.

Since the first marathon, the course has undergone very few route changes. In 1982, the finishing post was moved from Constitution Hill to Westminster Bridge due to construction works. It remained there for twelve years before moving to its present location at The Mall.

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Virgin London Marathon
Prize Money: $1,163,000

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My Best Runs Comments

Roger Wright
An amazing marathon, we run through historic London starting in smaller villages, crossing the Thames River over the Tower Bridge (without question the greatest structure I have ever run over, under or beside) through downtown (Canary Wharf) and finally end up at Buckingham Palace. 70% of the runners run for charities and care more about having a good time rather than a good time. incredible fan support (seemed bigger than NYC or Chicago) and people dress up in costumes to entertain the spectators. I have run many marathons and this is my favorite."
Race Date: 04/28/2019 Distance: Marathon
Division Time Name Age Home
Male 2:02:37 Eliud Kipchoge 34 KEN
2nd Male 2:02:55 Mosinet Getemew 27 ETH
3rd Male 2:03:16 Mule Wasihun 25 ETH
4th Male 2:05:01 Tola Shura Kitata 23 ETH
Female 2:18:20 BRIGID KOSGEI 25 KEN
2nd Female 2:20:14 Vivian Cheruiyot 35 KEN
3rd Female 2:20:51 Roza Dereje 22 ETH
4th Female 2:20:52 Gladys Cherono 36 KEN
Division Time Name Age Home
M 40-49 2:23:08 Mcdowell, Richard 40 GBR
M 50-59 2:36:02 King, Darren 51 GBR
M 60-69 2:55:48 Neville, Gary 62 GBR
M 70+ 3:11:12 Cartwright, David 70 GBR
F 40-49 2:40:38 Grima, Claire 42 GBR
F 50-59 2:55:04 Blackmore, Allison 53 CAN
F 60-69 3:17:08 Wheelhouse, Caroline 61 GBR
F 70+ 4:01:33 Jenkins, Jacqueline 70 GBR
Virgin London Marathon
It's on! Bekele takes on Kipchoge at the 2020 Virgin Money London Marathon

It's on! Bekele takes on Kipchoge at the 2020 Virgin Money London Marathon

17/01/2020

The gladiatorial match-up the whole world has been waiting for – Eliud Kipchoge versus Kenenisa Bekele – is ON and will take place this April at the 2020 Virgin Money London Marathon.

The two greatest distance runners in history and the two fastest men ever over the marathon distance will go head to head on the streets of London on Sunday 26 April in a contest the world has been waiting to see.

Kipchoge (KEN) is the greatest marathon runner of all time. He became the first man to run a sub two-hour marathon at the INEOS 1:59 Challenge last year, he is the Olympic champion, four-time Virgin Money London Marathon winner and the official world record holder for 26.2 miles.

But that world record time of 2:01:39 was so nearly broken by Bekele at last September’s BMW Berlin Marathon. The Ethiopian great, who is the current world record holder for both the 5000m and 10000m, finished just two seconds outside Kipchoge’s world record.

Ever since that incredible run from Bekele, there has been a worldwide clamour for the two men to race each other again over 26.2 miles.

Kipchoge confirmed prior to Christmas that he will run in the 2020 Virgin Money London Marathon and today we can reveal that Bekele has taken up the challenge to run in what will be one of the most eagerly anticipated races in marathon history.

Hugh Brasher, Event Director of the Virgin Money London Marathon, said: “This is a match-up of two of the greatest athletes the world has ever seen and two men who already have their names in the record books. We are thrilled we have been able to make it happen in London.

“It is truly fitting that this match up between two legends of the sport takes place at this year’s Virgin Money London Marathon, the 40th race in the fantastic history of our event. It is the head to head the world is waiting to see.”

Bekele, whose best finish in the London Marathon was second in 2017, said: “I am thrilled to be returning to London. I feel like I have unfinished business here and I would love to win this beautiful race.

“I am looking forward to racing against Eliud once again. We have had many great battles over the years on the track, roads and cross-country. He is a special athlete who proved that again with his magnificent achievements last year.

“I feel like my win in Berlin proved that I am still capable of winning the biggest races in the world and in world-class times. I am really looking forward to what I can do in London.”

Kipchoge and Bekele have previously met four times over the marathon distance, including twice at the Virgin Money London Marathon (2016 and 2018), with Kipchoge coming out on top each time. But Bekele has the better head-to-head record over all distances and surfaces.

Bekele is also a three-time Olympic gold medallist and he has won 17 world titles on the track, cross-country and indoors.

The two men spearhead the elite men’s field at the 2020 Virgin Money London Marathon which also includes the second and third-placed finishers from last year, Ethiopia’s Mosinet Geremew and Mule Wasihun.

The 2020 Virgin Money London Marathon is the 40th race in the event’s history. It is part of the Abbott World Marathon Majors (AWMM) series that also includes the Tokyo Marathon, Boston Marathon, BMW Berlin Marathon, Bank of America Chicago Marathon and TCS New York City Marathon.

The Virgin Money London Marathon will be the fifth race in the AWMM Series XIII schedule. With three races already completed (the 2019 World Championships, 2019 Bank of America Chicago Marathon and 2019 TCS New York City Marathon), the lead is shared by Lelisa Desisa (ETH), Lawrence Cherono (KEN) and Geoffrey Kamworor (KEN). Geremew is in tied fourth place after his second-placed finish at the World Championships.

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