Wilson Kipsang won the men’s race at the 2012 London Marathon in 2:04:44 while the women’s race was won by Mary Keitany for the second straight year as the Kenyans once again showed their dominance in the sport. Keitany’s time of 2:18:37 broke the Kenyan record by more than a minute.
London Marathon 2012: Kenya’s Wilson Kipsang And Mary Keitany Win On Sunday
The wins should assure both a spot on Kenya’s national team at the 2012 Summer Olympics, though that decision has not yet been made official, and likely won’t be announced until the end of the month.
Kipsang crossed the finish line more than two minutes ahead of the second-place finisher, fellow Kenyan Martin Lel.
“I knew when I went away they have to work very, very hard to beat me as I was feeling very good in myself,” [Kipsang] said. “I am sorry I didn’t (break) the record but winning is the most important thing for me. I feel a little tired now, but I am happy and tired.”
Tsegaye Kebede of Ethiopia took third place.
It was an all-Kenyan podium on the women’s side, led by Keitany. Afterward, she called the race “very tough” but is already looking ahead to the chance of representing her country in the Olympics.
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