Kenyan Beats Legendary Ethiopian Marathoner To Win London Marathon

He clinched the win with a time of 2:04.01 which was better than Bekele's 2:04.15

Viral Tea Ke Writer Viral Tea Ke Writer
Apr 21, 2024 - 14:29 Updated: Apr 21, 2024 - 15:02
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Kenyan Beats Legendary Ethiopian Marathoner To Win London Marathon
Kenya's Alexander Munyao (left) runs alongside Ethiopia's Kenenisa Bekele (right) in the 2024 London Marathon on April 21, 2024. /TCS LONDON MARATHON

Kenya's Alexander Munyao shocked legendary Ethiopian marathoner Kenenisa Bekele to clinch victory in the 2024 London Marathon.

Munyao sprinted away from Bekele in the final kilometre of the race, as he pumped up the pace to convincingly win the title, ensuring the title won by the late Kevin Kiptum last year remains with Kenya.

He clinched the win with a time of 2:04.01 which was better than Bekele's 2:04.15.

"Alexander Munyao fights off Kenenisa Bekele and wins the 2024 TCS London Marathon," announced the London Marathon through its official channels.

Ethiopia's Kenenisa Bekele in action during the 2024 London Marathon on April 21, 2024. /WORLD ATHLETICS

Bekele, 41, is a veteran on the athletics scene with three Olympic golds and five world titles to his name but a win on the streets of London continued to elude him.

However, by finishing second today, he ran his fastest marathon since 2019!

Britain's Emile Cairess finished third in the marathon followed by another Brit, Mahamed Mahamed who is expected to head to the Paris Olympics after the race.

The third, Cairess, and fourth, Mahamed, contestants managed a time of 2:06:46 and 2:07:05 respectively.

According to the World Athletics website, Munyao is relatively a new entrant in the marathon race having only previously won a bronze medal during the World U18 Championships.

The win for Munyao in London on April 21 caps a fine day for Kenya in the marathon. In the women's edition, Peres Jepchirchir broke the women's only world record in the 2024 London Marathon.

Jepchirchir won the marathon on Sunday, April 21 clocking 2:16.16, which was better than the 2:17.01 set by Mary Keitany.

She was racing against Tigist Assefa (Ethiopia), Megertu Alemu (Ethiopia) and Joyciline Jepkosgei (Kenya). Assefa who had been lauded as a favourite before the race finished second with Joyciline Jepkosgei taking bronze.

The Olympic champion was overwhelmed with emotions after winning the race, a redemption from her third-place finish in the 2023 edition, which was won by Sifan Hassan of the Netherlands.

Peres Jepchirchir of Kenya winning a marathon. /CNN

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