Emmanuel Mutai shattered the course record at the London Marathon as the Kenyan won the men’s race in a time of 2 hours, 4 minutes, 40 seconds yesterday.
Mutai had finished second last year and he went one better this time thanks to a spectacular run that beat the previous best time of 2:05.10 set by Samuel Wanjiru in 2009.
The 26-year-old’s time was also the fifth-fastest ever in a marathon and was just reward for a dominant display.
He broke away from three-time winner Martin Lel at about the 34km mark and sprinted to the finish.
Kenya’s Lel held off compatriot Patrick Makau to take second place.
It was a triumphant day for competitors from the east African country, as Kenya’s Mary Keitany won the women’s race in a time of 2:19.18.
Keitany relegated defending champion Liliya Shobukhova of Russia into second, with Kenya’s Edna Kiplagat in third.
VIENNA MARATHON
AP, VIENNA
Haile Gebrselassie made a winning return from injury by taking a half marathon event on Sunday during the Vienna City Marathon.
The Ethopian great, who turns 38 today, covered the 21.1km distance in 1 hour, 18 seconds.
The 22-year-old John Kiprotich of Kenya won the full-distance race in 2:08.29 to become the youngest winner in the 28-year history of the event.
Fate Tola of Ethiopia took the women’s race in a personal best 2:26.21.
Gebrselassie had been sidelined for six weeks and missed the Tokyo Marathon in February after hurting both knees in training.
Gebrselassie said he was “very happy” with his performance at his first European appearance since briefly retiring after pulling out of the New York City Marathon in November.
US track and field athletes have about four dozen pieces to choose from when assembling their uniforms at the Olympics. The one grabbing the most attention is a high-cut leotard that barely covers the bikini line and has triggered debate between those who think it is sexist and others who say they do not need the Internet to make sure they have good uniforms. Among those critical or laughing at the uniforms included Paralympian Femita Ayanbeku, sprinter Britton Wilson and even athletes from other countries such as Britain’s Abigail Irozuru, who wrote on social media: “Was ANY female athlete consulted in
Four-time NBA all-star DeMarcus Cousins arrived in Taiwan with his family early yesterday to finish his renewed contract with the Taiwan Beer Leopards in the T1 League. Cousins initially played a four-game contract with the Leopards in January. On March 18, the Taoyuan-based team announced that Cousins had renewed his contract. “Hi what’s up Leopard fans, I’m back. I’m excited to be back and can’t wait to join the team,” Cousins said in a video posted on the Leopard’s Facebook page. “Most of all, can’t wait to see you guys, the fans, next weekend. So make sure you come out and support the Beer
Former US Masters champion Zach Johnson was left embarrassed after a foul-mouthed response to ironic cheers from spectators after a triple bogey at Augusta National on Friday. Johnson, the 2007 Masters winner, missed the cut after his three-over-par round of 75 left him on seven-over 151 for 36 holes, his six on the par-three 12th playing a big role in his downfall. Television footage showed Johnson reacting to sarcastic cheers and applause when he tapped in for the triple bogey by yelling: “Oh fuck off.” Such a response would be considered bad form in any golf tournament, but is particularly out of keeping
The sacred flame for the Paris Olympics was lit yesterday in Olympia, Greece, the birthplace of the ancient Games, in a ceremony inspired by antiquity and marked by messages of hope amid multiple global crises. “In ancient times, the Olympic Games brought together the Greek city states, even — and in particular — during times of war and conflict,” International Olympic Committee president Thomas Bach said. “Today, the Olympic Games are the only event that brings the entire world together in peaceful competition. Then as now, the Olympic athletes are sending this powerful message — yes, it is possible to compete fiercely