From pace-maker to pace-setter

Race report: Virgin London Marathon, April 17, 2011 - Women's race

Kenyan Mary Keitany the 2009 World Half Marathon Champion proved that she could excel over the full marathon with a stunning performance on the streets of London today.

Photo: Keitany makes after her convincing win

A lead group of 10 runners, which included Liliya Shobukova, Edna Kiplagat, Bezunesh Bekele, Atsede Baysa, Mariya Konovalova, Aberu Kebede and Mary Keitany, stayed together until the 15 mile mark when, following two fast miles, Mary Keitany made a decisive move to push ahead. She continued at an impressive pace from there on and her lead was never threatened. Pushing hard and looking in great shape, the third place finisher from the New York marathon at the end of last year showed she had learned the lessons from that race, and applied her half marathon talent to show she will be a force to be reckoned with - and possibly Olympic marathon favourite for 2012 - in the years to come over the 26.2 mile classic.

In taking the 2011 Virgin London Marathon title, the the former pacemaker from the 2007 event joined the elite group of female athletes to have broken the 2:20 mark for the marathon, crossing the line in a superb 2:19:17, the fourth fastest women's marathon time ever.

Behind her, it was left to Liliya Shobukhova and Edna Kiplagat to battle it out for the remaining podium places. Defending champion Lilya Shobukova (RUS) was comfortably ahead of Kiplagat in the end, adding a second place to her previous victory and third place at London. She finished just a few seconds outside of her personal best and just 15 seconds shy of 2:20 for a new Russion record.

Edna Kiplagat made it two Kenyan ladies on the podium with an also swift 2:20:46 clocking, good enough to win almost anywhere else, sufficient for third place in London.

Jo Pavey (19th, 2:28:23) and National XC Champion Louise Damen (22nd, 2:29:59) were the top two British athletes, making encouraging debut performances at the full distance. Susan Partridge who finished in 2:34, just inside the qualifying time for the World Championships this summer. Liz Yelling who looked to be suffering, finished in 2:41:37.

On a day when conditions appear to have been perfect for fast running, London set a new record as twenty two athletes finished under the 2:30 mark., Yet again the quality of the field and the performances in the Virgin London Marathon showed that this is possibly the finest marathon race in the world.