Kenya’s Eliud Kipchoge, the Olympic marathon champion and world file holder, despatched a warning to his rivals forward of this yr’s Tokyo Olympics by cruising to victory in the NN Mission Marathon in Enschede, the Netherlands on Sunday.
In his first outing since a shock defeat at October’s London marathon, the place he got here eighth, Kipchoge completed the marathon at Twente Airport with a time of two hours 4 minutes and 30 seconds to reaffirm his standing as sizzling favorite for the Olympic race in Sapporo in August.
Mission Complete
Eliud Kipchoge wins the NN Mission Marathon at Aiport Twente, 2:04:30!#MissionMarathon pic.twitter.com/Msm3Px5W4w
— NN Running Team (@NNRunningTeam) April 18, 2021
Jonathan Korir of Kenya was second with a private finest of two:06.40 and Goitom Kifle of Eritrea third in 2:08.07.
In the ladies’s race, Germany’s Katharina Steinruck prevailed with a private finest 2:25.59 forward of Portugal’s Sara Moreira in 2:26.42 and Rabea Schoneborn (2:27.03).
Considered one of many best ever marathon runners, Kipchoge suffered his first defeat since 2013 in London. The 36-year-old, who had beforehand gained 10 straight races, suffered from a blocked ear that affected his respiratory and cramp in his hip.
Considered one of many best ever marathon runners, Kipchoge suffered his first defeat since 2013 in London. The 36-year-old, who had beforehand gained 10 straight races, suffered from a blocked ear that affected his respiratory and cramp in his hip.
Eliud Kipchoge bounces again from London disappointment to win NN Mission Marathon in Netherlands – his ultimate race earlier than the Olympics Games in Japan clocking 2:04:38. pic.twitter.com/qj0ezbbCfS
— Citizen TV Kenya (@citizentvkenya) April 18, 2021
The Kenyan was at his dominant finest in Enschede, nonetheless, going previous the midway mark in somewhat beneath 62 minutes earlier than pulling away from Korir across the 95-minute mark to safe a cushty victory.
The race was initially scheduled for April 11 in Hamburg however postponed over COVID-19 restrictions earlier than being relocated.
“It’s mission accomplished. Thank you to the great men and women who organised this race in less than 10 days,” Kipchoge mentioned. “It was in a special setting, in the midst of a pandemic to inform individuals you possibly can nonetheless run.
“This was the real test towards the Tokyo Olympics, to test your fitness.”
