Athletics faithful across the globe were left stunned after Kenyan long distance runner Eliud Kipchoge failed to defend his London Marathon title during the event’s 40th staging on Sunday. The event was held in an enclosed, looped course, in St James’s Park, to enable participants and those involved adhere to the COVID-19 restrictions.
Kipchoge, four-time winner was was pre-event favourite, but fell behind with two laps to go and finished eighth.
Kitata pushed ahead of Kenya’s Vincent Kipchumba on the home straight to finish in two hours five minutes and 41 seconds.
However, in the women’s marathon, Kenya’s Brigid Kosgei retained the women’s London Marathon title off a brilliant solo run to claim a fourth career win in the 42.2km race.
Kosgei clocked 2hr 18min 58sec, crossing the line ahead of American Sarah Hall, who timed a personal best of 2:22.01.
Kenya’s world champion Ruth Chepngetich rounded out the podium, just 4sec adrift of Hall.
