Kenyan marathoner Vincent Kipchumba says self-discipline and focus were the ingredients for his impressive second place finish at Sunday’s London Marathon.
Although he finished second for a successive year, Kipchumba’s time of 2:04:28 —behind winner Ethiopian Sisay Lerma (2:04:01) and ahead of third placed Mosinet Geremew (2:04:41), also of Ethiopia—was a personal best and a marked improvement from last year’s edition where he timed 2:05:42 behind Shura Kitata of Ethiopia.
“The secret is to be self-disciplined and to be focused in training. That is what has got me this far and enabled me to perform like this,” he said.
The 2019 Amsterdam Marathon champion was part of the leading pack that also included compatriots Milano Marathon champion Titus Ekiru and Evans Chebet before the former withdrew from the race and the latter faded away in the latter stages.
Kipchumba appeared to have taken the race by the scruff of the neck before Lerma charged ahead in a fresh bust of energy for his first win at a World Majors Marathon race. Nonetheless, this year’s race had returned better fortunes than 2020, according to Kipchumba.
“This year was better than last year’s performance because I not only finished second but recorded a new personal best. Also the weather was better than last year. I am happy to have represented my country even though I wish Eliud Kipchoge would have been here with me,” the 2019 Vienna Marathon winner said.
It was a blessed weekend for Kenya as other marathoners shone in different competitions around the globe.
World half marathon record holder Kibiwott Kandie led a Kenyan sweep of the podium places in the men’s 10km race at the Geneva Giants meet in Geneva, Switzerland.
The Valencia Half Marathon champion clocked 26:51 ahead of countrymen Felix Kipkoech (26:57) and Boniface Kibiwott (27:51).
Fresh from setting a women-only world record of 30:01 in 10km last month, Agnes Tirop finished second to Bahraini Kalkidan Gezahegne who set a new world record of 29:38 in the 10km race. Tirop timed 30:20 as this year’s Kip Keino Classic 3000m steeplechase winner Celliphine Chesipol finished third in 30:28.
In the Valencia 10km race, world 5000m silver medalist Margaret Chelimo set a new personal best of 29:50 as she led a clean sweep of podium places for Kenya. Norah Jeruto finished second in 30:07 as Sandrafelis Chebet came third in 30:44. In the men’s division, Collins Koros and Ronald Kirui clocked 27:39 and 27:54 to finish second and third respectively. Norwegian Zerei Kbrom cut the tape in 27:36.
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