Peres Jepchirchir’s primary goal at the London Marathon was to secure a spot on Kenya’s Olympic team to defend her gold medal, rather than breaking the world record. Nevertheless, she achieved both milestones during Sunday’s race.
Jepchirchir showcased an impressive finish, outpacing the world-record holder Tigst Assefa and two other competitors to claim victory in the women’s category. She completed the race in front of Buckingham Palace with a time of 2 hours, 16 minutes, and 16 seconds. Assefa finished second, and Joyciline Jepkosgei secured third place.
While Jepchirchir’s time was slower than Assefa’s overall women’s world record set in Berlin the previous year, it set a new record for a women-only marathon, surpassing Mary Keitany’s 2:17:01 record from the 2017 London Marathon. In London, the elite women start approximately 30 minutes before the elite men, enhancing the focus on their performances.
This victory was particularly significant for Jepchirchir, affirming her position on Kenya’s Olympic team for the upcoming Paris Games. “I was not expecting to run that time,” Jepchirchir remarked, emphasizing her determination to defend her Olympic title.
After a disappointing third-place finish in London last year, where she was narrowly outpaced by winner Sifan Hassan, Jepchirchir’s triumph this time around not only marked a personal redemption but also boosted her confidence for the Olympics. “I think it helps me a lot,” she said, reflecting on her strengths in the final stages of a race. “For me, when I reach 800 meters (left), it’s difficult to defeat me.”
The event also celebrated a Kenyan double victory, with Alexander Mutiso Munyao winning the men’s race, underscoring a dominant performance by Kenyan athletes.
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