London Marathon: Defending champion Kosgei faces Jepkosgei as Kitata eyes title defence in men's race

Olympic silver medalist and world marathon record holder Brigid Kosgei will be back on the streets of London on Sunday 3 October 2021 where she seeks her third successive London Marathon title.

Kosgei won the London Marathon first in 2019, becoming the youngest woman to win the event. Her winning time was the third-best time in London after Paula Radcliffe in 2005 with 2:17:42 and Mary Keitany 2017 with the world record 2:17:01. 

The same year, she won the Chicago Marathon in a world record time of 2:14:04, an improvement of her personal best by more than 4 minutes. She beat the previous world record by 81 seconds and was over six minutes ahead of second-place Ababel Yeshaneh. 

In 2020 Kosgei won the rescheduled 2020 London Marathon by over three minutes. Kosgei broke away from the pack, 29 km into the race and stayed ahead for the rest of the race to finish in a time of 2:18.58. 

“It is a great feeling to be coming back, as London is one of my favourite marathons. Last year’s win was very special, particularly because of what the whole world was going through. It was fantastic just to have the London Marathon organised and even more so to be the winner. I hope to arrive again in very good shape and win for the third time,” said Kosgei while announcing her participation in London. 

The Olympics medalist will face stiff competition from reigning New York City Marathon champion and world half marathon record holder Joyciline Jepkosgei, as well as six other women who have run under two hours and 20 minutes. 

Jepkosgei in, August won the Berlin Half Marathon in a new course record of 65:16 in a race she termed as her preparation for London. “This was a really nice race with a fantastic course. The wind was quite strong at times. But I am really happy with my performance and this gives me a lot of motivation for the London Marathon,” said Jepkosgei after her win.

In the men’s race, Shura Kitata, who won the elite-only London Marathon in 2019, is looking to rise above his Tokyo Olympics disappointment where he pulled out, and return to defend his London title.

“I was disappointed to have to pull out of the Olympic Games marathon but I just did not adapt to the weather well. It was very cold in Ethiopia prior to leaving for Tokyo and when we got there the weather took its toll on my body and made my breathing very hard. But I am healthy and looking forward to racing in the London Marathon again. I am preparing very well and my coach has me very ready to defend my title in London.

Winning last year was an unforgettable memory and it gave me huge excitement to bring back such a big victory to my country and to make my family and coaches proud. I have set my mind on how I can run fast and better than last year and I am looking forward to seeing if I can repeat the victory and make history in the race,” said Kitata in a pre-race interview.