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Brigid Kosgei wins London Marathon

Sir Mo Farah and Eilish McColgan lead the British entries

TCS London Marathon 2022 attracts the best elite fields ever

Every year we hear that the elite fields assembled for the London Marathon are 'the best ever'. This year, with a new headline sponsor in Tata Consultancy Services, TCS London Marathon has raised the bar once again by attracting both defending champions; the women's world record holder, and the second-fastest male of all time to the streets of the capital city. 

Last year's 40th Virgin Money London Marathon was a hybrid affair with a bio-secure elite event based in St James' Park and the masses in virtual action around the world, as captured in this exciting 90-second official video:

2020 Virgin Money London Marathon recap from London Marathon Events on Vimeo.

This year's race, on Sunday 2nd October – with just 85 days to go – will reprise the hugely successful virtual marathon but it's also back to live action for the masses who will rub shoulders with the greatest marathon runners of all time.

A stacked elite women's field includes world record holder Brigid Kosgei (Kenya, 2:14:04 PB) and defending champion Joyciline Jepkosgei (2:17:43) among five sub-2:18 performers. The Kenyan favourites will face stern opposition from three Ethiopians: Yalemzerf Yehaulaw (2:17:23), Degitu Azimeraw (2:17:58) and Ashete Bekere (2:17:58). 

British fans will be getting behind the Scot Eilish McColgan who is making her much-anticipated marathon debut. Eilish has been busy dismantling British records for 5K, 10K, and 10 miles in her build-up and will be competing 26 years after her mother Liz won the race, as she explained: “Obviously, the London Marathon holds a very special place in the heart of my family with my mum’s win in 1996. I don’t actually remember the race myself, but I’ve seen the finish many times down the years. I’m now looking forward to experiencing it for myself.”

McColgan will be on a steep learning curve and will be joined in the battle for British honours by UK top-ranked Charlotte Purdue (2:23:26) and the experienced Steph Twell (2:26:40), Rose Harvey (2:27:20) and Samantha Harrison (2:32:22).

Meanwhile, three of the five fastest marathoners in history are due to fight for supremacy in the men's race. Ethiopia's Kenenisa Bekele (2:01:41), Birhanu Legese (2:02:48) and Mosinet Geremew (2:02:55) lead the field, with defending champion Sisay Lemma (Ethiopia, 2:03:36) fifth-ranked behind Kenya's Amos Kipruto (2:03:13).

In what must surely be the greatest ever depth there are eight men with PBs inside 2:04 and two more who are faster than Sir Mo Farah (2:05:11) who runs the London Marathon for the fourth time, returning to the full distance for the first time since 2019 after pacing last year's race.  

Farah is looking forward to the challenge as he said: “Everyone knows how much I love the London Marathon so I’m really excited to be coming back in 2022. It does seem a long time ago since I last took part in the full race in 2019 and I can’t wait to get back out there again, test myself against the best marathon runners in the world and enjoy that buzz and amazing atmosphere London creates on Marathon Day".

Other British athletes confirmed are Chris Thompson (2:10:52), Weynay Ghebresilasie (2:12:17), Mohamud Aadan (2:12:20) and Phil Sesemann (2:12:58) – the first home athlete to finish last year. 

For links to previous results and reports visit runABC race listing here

Image courtesy TCS London Marathon on Facebook

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