Eliud Kipchoge Fails To Defend His London Marathon Title

World Marathon record holder and three-time Olympic medalist Eliud Kipchoge lost for first time in seven years on Sunday, finishing eighth in London Marathon.

Ethiopian Shura Kitata was triumphant in the men’s race in 2:05:42 while Kenya’s Brigid Kosgei was victorious in the elite women’s event in two hours, 18.58 minutes.

Kipchoge started struggling after the 35km mark and was left by the six men who were leading the pack including his countryman Vincent Kipchumba.

In the absence of Ethiopia’s Kenenisa Bekele, Kipchoge was the clear favorite to win his fifth title but the king of the road run his worst marathon in his career clocking 2:06:49.

Before the Sunday’s race, the Kenyan marathoner had 11 wins in his 12 career marathons.

Kipchoge looked strong at the beginning of the race but his trademark smile at the middle of the race, portrayed a man who was struggling, as he kept giving instructions to Kipchumba, who came home second.

The race, originally postponed from April because of the coronavirus pandemic was run over 19.8 laps of a fenced-off course around St James’s Park.

In an interview after the race, Kipchoge cited an incident regarding an ear problem which totally affected his performance.

“I am really disappointed,” said the world record holder. “I had a problem with my right ear after it blocked and then I really cramped and had problems with my hip.

“It was cold but I don’t blame the conditions.”

However, Kipchoge has ruled out going into retirement as he has promised for a comeback, where most likely he will run his last marathon at the next year’s Olympics.

“The last 15km, I felt it. I felt well at the start. Absolutely there are more marathons in me and I will come back again.”