Rivalries key to elite marathon interest:
Kipsang
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[April 23, 2015]
By Michael Hann
LONDON (Reuters) - Fierce rivalries,
rather than tumbling times, are key to maintaining the appeal of elite
marathons, defending London champion Wilson Kipsang said of his showdown
with world record holder Dennis Kimetto on Sunday.
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Dubbed the ‘clash of the champions’ by race organizers, Kimetto, who
clocked a world best two hours, two minutes, 57 seconds in
September's Berlin Marathon, will make his London debut while fellow
Kenyan Kipsang is seeking a third title after winning in 2012 and
2014.
A stellar London lineup is dominated by Kenyans, including Emmanuel
Mutai, the 2011 London winner who ran the second-quickest time ever
(2:03.13) when finishing runner-up to Kimetto in Berlin, and Stanley
Biwott, another sub-2:05 runner, who finished second to Kipsang last
year.
With five of the all-time top-10 and eight sub-2:05 men in the field
the race looks unlikely to become a solo time trial often seen at
lucrative big-city marathons around the world.
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“I think sometimes it is more interesting when guys like this are
racing together,” Kipsang told a news conference on Thursday held in
a hotel at Tower Bridge, the iconic halfway mark of the race.
“When I get to a race and win, and then Dennis goes to another race
and wins --it’s not so interesting for the sport.
“But when we are together people can really see the potential of the
athletes and there is high potential of many guys finishing close to
the line. If the guys are in top shape there is a high chances of a
fast run and a fast time.”
Kimetto, who broke Kipsang's 2013 world record by 26 seconds,
averaged a scarcely credible four minutes 41 seconds per mile in
Berlin to become the first man to run under two hours three minutes.
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Another world record on Sunday is unlikely, however, as the twists
and turns of London’s streets make for tougher going compared to the
flat, wide-roads of Berlin.
“My main aim on Sunday is not really the world record but retaining
the title,” added Kipsang, 33, who can become the fourth man to win
the London Marathon three times.
“I will try to make sure I analyze my competitors and come up with a
race plan. We have new guys to last year so I need a different
approach."
(Reporting by Michael Hann)
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